Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Behind the Scenes

Would you know if a coworker was struggling with mental illness?

By Kari-Anne March, College and Marketing Coordinator

Sudden changes in a coworker’s mood, behaviour, or performance could be more than just poor performance.

Work is a significant part of our lives that each of us dedicates a significant amount of time to. Many of us define ourselves by our work, viewing it as more than just a job.

Our work can make us feel happy, fulfilled, and proud. Our work can also make us feel stressed, or even defeated.

But the beauty of work is that it is also a place where we form strong relationships, and often even friendships. Spending so much time with our colleagues, we naturally get to know and care about each other.

It is that companionship that helps us stay engaged and feel happier about the work we do.

One in five Canadians will suffer from a mental illness each year, so chances are someone you work closely with will be affected. Recognizing the signs and symptoms isn’t always easy.

You might find yourself annoyed when a coworker repeatedly doesn’t show up to work or demonstrates poor performance. It is so easy to chalk up sudden shortcomings to poor performance and turn to feelings of anger or frustration, especially if you are the one who must pick up the slack.

Instead, watch for sudden and often significant changes in behaviour. Common signs and symptoms of mental health concerns can include the following:

Changes in work habits or performance. Is your colleague suddenly missing deadlines, struggling to focus, and generally producing poorer-than-usual quality of work? If the quality of work has suddenly and drastically changed, there might be more going on behind the scenes than simply poor performance.
Increased absenteeism. Is your coworker suddenly missing a lot of work? Are they often feeling unwell, tired, or regularly showing up late?
Changes in attitude, demeanor, or mood. Are they demonstrating sudden outbursts and mood swings or seeming withdrawn and avoiding interaction?

While these common signs could be indicators of mental illness, that is also not always the case. One of the most challenging parts of recognizing potential symptoms is determining what to do if you suspect that someone is struggling.

Your responsibilities to that person vary greatly based on your personal and possibly professional relationships, and it is critical that you make any decisions with kindness, empathy, and grace.

6 Key Dos and Don’ts to Remember in Any Situation

Don't jump to conclusions about what is going on; it is not always a mental health issue.
Don't push a colleague to share personal details.
Don't make assessments, diagnoses, or recommendations—you are not a professional.
Do make polite and gentle observations about how your work is being impacted and let the person respond.
Do listen in a nonjudgmental way if the person chooses to share with you.
Do get support from others if you feel that you, the coworker themselves, or others around you may be in danger.

If you want to learn the necessary skills to provide early intervention for someone experiencing a mental health crisis, please visit clac.ca/training to learn more about our Mental Health First Aid courses.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. Less immediate mental health resources are also available, including the Canada Suicide Prevention Service, Kids Help Phone, and Hope for Wellness Help Line.

Behind the Scenes

6 Key Dos and Don’ts to Remember in Any Situation

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