To ask for help regarding colleague's MH?

[Mentalhealthatwork]

I work in a small organisation and have a colleague who is neurodiverse and struggling. It seems to me they are deeply depressed. I don't even know this person particularly well but feel they are crying out for help by over sharing their issues. I am there to listen and offer help where possible but they are really intense and it's starting to impact on my own MH, which isn't great to start with. I have a lot of empathy and I want to help. I don't want to make things harder for them but I don't want to suffer myself as a result being there to listen to their issues. Speaking to their manager would only make matters far worse.

How do I handle this sensitively?

Hi OP, really sorry to hear this and very kind of you to notice and want to help. I wonder if you could signpost your colleague to some places that could support them? E.g. NHS talking therapy (counselling), Samaritans, Mind etc.

You could do it in quite a low-key way and just drop it into the conversation. Maybe just drop in some details about how these places helped you/someone you know (you could just make something up) to reassure your colleague that it’s okay to ask for help.

My friend who I work closely with sat me down one day and said I think you need help. I had no idea but I cried a lot for the last year at work, over thought everything. I went to the Drs that night and opted for medication. I will always be grateful to that person. It was a hard conversation for both of us. Good luck