How to Support Your Coworkers’ Mental Health

Your colleague, Jane, hasn’t seemed like herself lately. Not too long ago, she was one of the first people to arrive at the office in the morning, with a cup of coffee and a smile. Now, she’s rolling in 15 minutes later than usual, heading straight to her desk, putting on her headphones, and not engaging like she used to. Her responses to emails and messages are delayed, and she now takes her lunch alone in her car instead of in the break room. She has stopped attending employee happy hours, seems distracted during meetings, and didn’t seem prepared for her last presentation. It’s clear to you that Jane is struggling with something, but despite your concern, you aren’t sure if it’s appropriate to approach her. And even if you did, what would you say? How can you show your support without crossing a line?

Struggles like Jane’s aren’t unique. It’s estimated that more than 1 in 5 American adults suffer from some form of diagnosed mental illness. However, many suffer in silence, especially at work. Employees may be hesitant to talk about their mental health struggles or seek treatment due to stigma or a lack of knowledge about mental health resources. However, a study by Mind Share Partners found that a healthy work culture was rated as the most important factor in employees’ overall mental health—and building a culture of support between coworkers can be the first step to a more mentally healthy workplace.

As part of LCS’ series of articles surrounding Mental Health Awareness Month, here are some tips on how you can support your coworkers’ mental health.

Build a Relationship

Human beings need connection to thrive, including in the workplace. According to KPMG’s Friends at Work 2.0 survey, 84% of workers said that close friendships with their coworkers were very important to their mental health. However, 45% of respondents in the same survey reported feeling isolated or alone at work at least some of the time, showing a stark divide between how we value workplace relationships and what making them looks like in practice.

For employees struggling with their mental health, a close friend in the office can be a crucial lifeline. You can’t force a friendship, but you can extend an olive branch to your coworkers when possible. Take an interest in their life outside of work, ask genuine questions, and look for common ground. You may not become best friends, but establishing even a casual friendship with a coworker can make a difference in their (and your own) mental health. A connection built on mutual trust can provide a solid foundation for taking the next step in seeking support during a mental health challenge.  

Check in with Your Coworkers

With an established rapport, check-ins with your coworkers should already be regular occurrences. But if you notice a teammate struggling, a more in-depth check-in can be a great way to show your support. However, you’ll want to approach the conversation carefully to avoid potential embarrassment or avoidance.

Choose a calm time and place to talk without distractions or interruptions. Start with a casual question, like “How have you been lately?” or gently point out that you’ve noticed a change in their demeanor and wanted to check in. If they decline to share, respect that decision, but let them know you’re available if they want to talk. Then plan to follow up another time. While your coworker may be hesitant to open up at first, if they know you are coming from a place of genuine concern, they may be more likely to confide in you over time.

Practice Active Listening

When discussing your coworker’s mental health, make a conscious effort to listen more than you speak. You don’t want to come across as dismissive or let your own opinions or feelings dominate the conversation—it could lead your coworker to withdraw or shut down. When you do speak, ask open-ended questions as part of an active listening approach. Your coworker should leave the interaction feeling heard and understood.

Ask Before Giving Advice

Sometimes, all that’s needed to support a coworker’s mental health is a listening ear. While offering advice is often well-intentioned, it can come across as a lecture or critique if the recipient wasn’t looking for solutions in the first place. If you do have advice or feedback, ask your coworker if they would be open to hearing it first. Otherwise, focus on being a sounding board.

Show Your Appreciation

Beyond specific conversations and developing workplace friendships, you can support your colleagues’ wellbeing by demonstrating your appreciation in small ways every day. Shout out your coworkers for a job well done in the group chat, or write a note and leave it on their desk to let them know you appreciate them. If you know your coworker’s coffee order or favorite treat, make a stop on the way into the office to grab them a little something, or invite them out for lunch or a coffee run and pick up the tab as a token of appreciation.

Never underestimate the power of everyday gestures—to someone struggling with their mental health, a colleague remembering how they take their coffee can be the difference between feeling invisible and feeling supported.

Creating a Workplace Culture to Support Mental Health

Supporting employees who are struggling with their mental health doesn’t have to look like grand gestures or sweeping benefits policies. By encouraging team members to build supportive, professional relationships and creating a safe environment to discuss mental health free from stigma, employees will know they don’t have to endure in silence. Sometimes, simply starting the conversation is the first step.