In recent years it's become more acceptable to talk about specific forms of neurodivergence like ADHD. But so few professionals openly talk about mood disorders, which are considered under the neurodivergent umbrella. Sadly, having mental health challenges is often frowned upon in the workplace. Despite there being many neurodivergent people across the world, having a mood disorder can come with more stigma than other forms of neurodivergence. Many people choose not to reveal that they have a mental illness or have had mental health challenges out of fear of judgment or ostracism.
It can be difficult for people with mental illnesses when mainstream media demonizes mood disorders like bipolar, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder. Media includes, but is not limited to, film, television, and even mainstream music. Because of the pressure to hide one's mental illness it is more difficult to know signs that they may be experiencing a mental health crisis or episode.
That's why it's important to know what to do if your colleague is dealing with challenges in regard to their mental health. Mood disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are severely misunderstood -- and they are more common than you might think. In 2023 there were 20.9 million adults in the U.S. who had been diagnosed with a mood disorder.
Although mood disorders are common, there is little to no talk about them in the workplace. Some people hide their diagnoses out of fear of losing their jobs or professional relationships. But every employee should know what a colleague having a mental health crisis looks like. Employees should have the knowledge to know when it's time to get a coworker professional help. Here are three things you can do if you think a colleague is experiencing a mental health crisis.
Many people have little to no exposure to mood disorders. Others have mood disorders themselves but don't disclose out of fear of losing their jobs or other professional opportunities. Unfortunately, some people have only seen mood disorders portrayed in film or television. The media treats Kanye West like he is the face of Black people with bipolar disorder. Clips of Kanye West speaking while manic have resurfaced on Instagram and other social media platforms. Plenty of social media users find his behavior to be entertaining when in reality there is nothing funny about having a mood disorder. There are countless successful public figures who have mood disorders like bipolar disorder.
Think about Britney Spears, whose public mental health crisis was used as an opportunity for paparazzi to take pictures and profit off of her pain. Rather than reading about public figures who are bipolar, start reading about mood disorders from medical sources and research studies.
If you are concerned a colleague has stopped taking medication or is having a mental health crisis for the first time, make sure to look for signs of them being in an episode. From mania to psychosis, there are very telling signs that someone is struggling with their mental health. If you do enough research on mood disorders it will be much easier to recognize when a coworker is having mental health challenges.
Many people don't know how to respond when someone is grappling with mental health challenges. Quite a few people with mental illnesses are treated like a problem rather than a neurodivergent person in need of professional help. Taking an empathetic approach to mental health in the workplace is one of the most important parts of helping a coworker who may be experiencing an episode.
If you believe your colleague needs professional help and is a threat to themselves or others do more than listen. Call 911 immediately if your coworker mentions wanting to hurt themselves or others. Listening and supporting someone at work is important, but sometimes professional help is the only way to save someone's life and career.
Some professionals with mental health challenges fear that if they take time off they won't be able to return to their job. That is not always the case. So many people experience one mental health crisis, go on medication, and continue to thrive in their personal and professional lives. If you believe your empathic approach isn't enough to assist your coworker then it's time to have them get help from a mental health professional.
Deciding whether or not to tell someone in management can be really tricky. Consider going to leadership if your colleague is showing blatant signs and symptoms of experiencing a mental health crisis. You would never want to make someone feel like they've been accused or cornered. Instead, try to spend some time with that colleague solo like during your lunch break. If you believe they are struggling and could become aggressive or violent then you absolutely need to tell someone in leadership. But there's a stereotype that people with mood disorders like bipolar and schizophrenia are always violent. That is not true -- it depends on the individual, their trauma, and whether they are using substances while manic or psychotic.
Substances like alcohol, stimulants, and even coffee can exacerbate mental health challenges like mania. If you believe a colleague is struggling with their mental health then it is best to avoid getting drinks with them after work. Alcohol can make mania and psychosis even more extreme. Because alcohol is a depressant, many people use it as a way to self-medicate and temporarily manage mania. However, alcohol makes the highs and lows of many mood disorders worse and self-medication only works for so long.
That's why you should try to get lunch or coffee with your colleague rather than meeting at a bar. Make sure you are in a public place when you meet so that if you upset the person you are not alone with them and are unsure of how to respond. It's important to note that mood disorders and mental health challenges are a spectrum. Not all neurodivergence looks the same. Remember that your coworker may already be on medication but changed their regimen or stopped taking medication entirely.
It is not a good idea to ask a colleague if they have a mood disorder. Instead, softly check in with them (and not through their work email or in front of other people at work). If you decide to tell someone in leadership, make sure that you don't say anything negative about your colleague -- express concern instead. You should only tell your boss or another manager if you are worried that something serious will happen that may affect you, your colleague, or your entire team.
If you know leadership at your workplace frowns upon showing or discussing emotion then try to find at least one manager who practices empathic leadership. Know that being exposed to someone in a manic or psychotic state can be really tough, especially if you have known them for a long time and they suddenly act different. And witnessing someone who is manic or psychotic should not deter you from being their friend long-term.
If they open up to you about being unstable then you can go to someone in leadership who will not fire your colleague solely for having mental health challenges. If leaders at your workplace aren't very empathetic then consult a mental health professional or even send your colleague resources for them to get help. This may sound really challenging, but if you want to support your coworkers then make sure to inform leadership about anyone who is having a mental health crisis.
So, now you know a few things you can do if you one of your colleagues is having mental health challenges. And remember -- it is not your fault if they refuse to get professional help. Try your best to be as supportive as possible. Learn more about mood disorders, including support groups for those with mood disorders, through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Check out the NAMI site here.