I hope you got to listen to my recent podcast conversation with Frank King, “The Mental Health Comedian.” (In case you didn’t, check it out here!) You might have heard me tease Frank about the notion of “mental health” and “comedian” in the same title, but Frank explains his purpose of bringing humor to the serious topic of mental health because he believes, “where there is humor, there is hope.” You know I’m all about humor and hope, so I was all ears to hear what Frank had to share.

Though we’re a workplace podcast that typically deals with topics like leading people, time management, efficient meetings, and productivity, I invited Frank on the show because when we stop to consider the role mental health issues play at work and beyond, it’s clear a conversation like the one I had with Frank is imperative. 

Why Mental Health Matters at Work

According to the CDC, mental health disorders are among the most burdensome health concerns in the United States. Nearly 1 in 5 US adults aged 18 or older (18.3% or 44.7 million people) reported any mental illness symptoms in 2016. In addition, 71% of adults reported at least one symptom of stress, such as a headache or feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

It turns out employees’ mental health issues have a tremendous impact on the workplace because poor mental health and stress negatively affect employees in numerous ways including:

  • Job performance and productivity
  • Engagement with one’s work
  • Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers
  • Physical capability and daily functioning

Furthermore, mental illnesses such as depression are associated with higher rates of disability and unemployment. Depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time. This result is a serious impact on job productivity and employee retention.

Why Our Co-Worker’s Mental Health Matters to Us

The real reason to care about mental health in the workplace is that we’re talking about people—the co-workers who work alongside us or that we see on Zoom are the people on our team; they’re people who count on us and who we count on, as well. They are colleagues, and often, friends. As such, we care about how they’re doing, not just because they have a report due to us on Monday, but because we know that they are people who matter—at work and beyond.

The rising issue of mental health in the new, post-pandemic era is a topic we’re hearing about more and more. Stress compounded by hybrid work environments, pandemic health reports, and a weary world is something we can all relate to. When you look at the numbers of those who self-report mental illness cases, the increases are concerning. But when does “concerning” cross the line? That is, how do you know if you should be really concerned—and take action about someone on your team? When do you step in on behalf of co-worker or a friend? Or even for yourself?

Signs Your Co-Worker May Be Struggling with Mental Health Issues

Frank and I had a great discussion about how to identify when someone’s stressed behavior has crossed the proverbial line, and he pointed out some behavioral signs that indicate someone you care about may be struggling. While it is not always possible to know what someone else is thinking (people suffering from depression often battle feelings of worthlessness, guilt or dwell on death), you may notice:

  • The person has trouble getting out of bed, but rallies in the afternoon.
    Has your once timely co-worker been uncharacteristically tardy? A no-show on virtual calls?
  • The person’s personal hygiene suffers.
    Your friend who was once always so put together, now shows up to the office or on-line in disheveled loungewear. Or maybe they haven’t gotten their hair cut in some time, or even brushed it regularly.
  • The person has difficulty concentrating or completing tasks.
    A co-worker who was once on top of things, but now repeatedly misses deadlines and seems apathetic, is cause for concern.
  • The person’s eating habits are irregular.
    A friend may be eating too much or too little, resulting in sudden weight loss or gain.
  • The person’s sleeping habits are suffering.
    Once, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, your colleague is now getting either too much or too little sleep and is perpetually tired or listless.

What to Say to Someone Who May Be Struggling with Depression/Mental Health

So, what if your co-worker or friend exhibits several of these characteristics? What should be your next approach? “This is not where you tell the person, ‘You really need to turn that frown upside down’,” Frank instructs. “Or even worse, something like, ‘You’d feel better if you would just choose joy.’ These are impossible choices for someone who is struggling,” he explains. Instead, your response should be to emphasize that you care about the other person and that you understand they are not broken in some way.

“Let them know you are available and that you want to help or that you are willing to help them get help from a professional. Remind the person that they matter and that it is okay to feel the way that they are feeling,”

Frank also urges to ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?” As Frank says, for many who are contemplating suicide, having to answer this question aloud can help them see the horror of it.

Clearly, this is not a complete list of how to handle mental health issues in the workplace, but it’s a start. And that’s what I hope you’ll do—start noticing the behaviors of those around you and yourself. Have the tough conversations. It’s an important topic and a critical time.

Reach out to those you think might be struggling and if you’re the one who is, please reach out for help and remember there is always hope.