Thank you for sharing your story @Mandisa. I have a question for everyone: how can you identify if a colleague is struggling with mental health or burnout?

It takes true bravery to share your story. Thank you Mandisa.

I think the following indicators can help you notice if a coworker is experiencing burn out or a mental illness.

1. Notice Work Performance: you can keep an eye on their work performance. A decline in productivity, missed deadlines, or an increase in mistakes could be signs of distress.

2.Social Withdrawal: If a colleague starts isolating themselves, avoiding social interactions, or skipping team activities, this could signal mental health struggles.

3.Physical Health: Changes in physical health, like significant weight gain or loss, exhaustion, or complaints of unexplained physical symptoms, can be linked to mental health issues.

4.Emotional Expression: Monitor emotional changes. If they appear unusually irritable, anxious, or frequently express feelings of hopelessness, it may be a sign.

5.Absenteeism: Frequent or extended absences from work may be due to mental health issues. This can also include an increase in sick leave.

Remember these are just are some of the indicators but not an exhaustive list

So it’s always advisable to talk to create a safe space where you can openly have these conversations and practice empathetic listening.

If you feel there is something to be concerned about you can then encourage professional help and maybe refer them to resources.

Its important to note the interrelationship between mental health and burnout. Burnout is not a mental health disorder but a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It is a cause of mental health conditions. Also mental health disorders can cause burnout. There are several signs and symptoms to identify a colleague struggling with mental health or burnout. These signs and symptoms of mental health or burnout can be categorized into physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms as follows:

Physical symptoms

• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Fatigue
• Changes in appetite

Emotional symptoms

• Helplessness
• Sense of failure or self doubt
• Decreased satisfaction
• Feeling detached or lonely
• Loss of motivation

Behavioral symptoms

• Reduced performance in tasks
• Withdrawal or isolation
• Outbursts or violence
• Substance use