Five Signs Your Colleague's Mental Health May Be Struggling

We often spend more time with our colleagues than with our own families. Yet despite sharing countless hours, our work relationships tend to remain surface-level. We collaborate, communicate, and complete tasks — but we rarely stop to think about what someone might be dealing with after they log off. The reality is that many people wear a mask at work. Behind the professionalism and politeness may be silent battles with anxiety, depression, addiction, or burnout.

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Visit any of the many private alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres, for example, and you’ll find dozens of people struggling with addiction, often as a result of trying to cope with work stress. These are struggles you’d never suspect from sitting next to them in the office. While you can’t fix their problems, simply noticing the signs and showing support can make a real difference. Whether someone seeks help at a luxury rehab center or through other treatment options, the path to recovery often begins with having supportive colleagues who care.

In today’s high-stress world, mental health issues are more common than ever — yet still largely invisible. Most people hide their struggles to avoid judgment or because they don’t know where to turn. Being a good colleague means being willing to see beyond the surface. There are signs that your colleague may be struggling, and reaching out to support them can make all the difference. But how do you spot when someone may be struggling with their mental health?

Noticeable Changes in Mood or Personality

Everyone has off days, but when a normally upbeat colleague becomes distant, irritable, or overly anxious over a sustained period, it’s often a sign of deeper emotional stress. A person’s demeanor rarely shifts for no reason — these changes typically reflect something they’re dealing with internally. Emotional exhaustion can change how someone shows up, speaks, or engages with the team. Even subtle changes can be important. Trust your instincts if something feels off.

Watch for:

Sudden Irritability or Mood Swings: A previously patient colleague might now lose their temper over minor issues or become unreasonably upset.
Emotional Outbursts or Visible Anxiety: They may tear up unexpectedly, appear jumpy, or become easily overwhelmed during discussions.
A Shift from Sociable to Withdrawn or Quiet: Someone who once joked around or led conversations might start keeping to themselves without explanation.

Decline in Performance or Productivity

Mental health struggles often affect a person’s ability to concentrate, retain information, or stay motivated. Someone who’s normally efficient and focused may begin to miss details, submit work late, or seem distracted in meetings. These changes often go unnoticed until the impact on team output becomes clear. Rather than assuming laziness or poor time management, consider whether they may be mentally overwhelmed.

Look out for:

Missed Deadlines or Rushed, Sloppy Work: Deliverables may arrive late or with more errors than usual, often lacking their usual attention to detail.
Frequent Forgetfulness or Lack of Focus: They may repeatedly ask for information already provided or seem mentally “checked out” in meetings.
Reduced Creativity, Confidence, or Engagement: They may stop volunteering ideas, second-guess their contributions, or express doubt in their abilities.

Increased Absences or Presenteeism

Time away from work — or showing up while clearly unwell — can both point to serious personal struggles. While frequent sick days may raise flags, presenteeism is often harder to notice. It’s when someone is physically present but emotionally and mentally unavailable. They might show up every day, but their productivity, engagement, and energy are noticeably low. Both patterns reflect someone who is trying to cope, not slack off.

Pay attention to:

Frequent or Last-Minute Absences: These may be accompanied by vague explanations or patterns, like always missing work on Mondays or after stressful meetings.
Coming in Visibly Unwell or Burned Out: They may appear pale, disoriented, or exhausted — and still insist on pushing through the day.
Staying Late, Skipping Breaks, or Working Through Illness: This overcompensation often stems from guilt, fear, or a need to hide how much they’re struggling.

Withdrawal From Social Interaction

Most people crave some level of connection at work, whether it’s chatting over coffee or venting after a long meeting. When someone suddenly pulls away from these interactions, it can be a sign that they’re mentally checking out — or struggling with feelings of shame, anxiety, or depression. Social withdrawal can be a coping mechanism that masks internal distress. If someone who was once socially active now keeps to themselves, it’s worth gently checking in.

Signs include:

Avoiding Team Lunches or Group Meetings: They might stop showing up without explanation or excuse themselves early from every gathering.
Staying Silent During Casual Chats or Group Discussions: They may physically be there, but emotionally disconnected or unresponsive.
Choosing to Work Alone Even When Collaboration is Expected: They might opt for isolated tasks, decline offers for help, or prefer email over conversation.

Changes in Appearance or Personal Care

Personal grooming and appearance can offer strong clues into a person’s mental well-being. If a colleague who used to be sharp and polished begins to look tired, unkempt, or less put-together, it could be a signal that they’re struggling with motivation or self-worth. Depression, for example, can make even basic routines like showering or getting dressed feel overwhelming. While one off-day shouldn’t raise alarms, consistent changes are worth noticing.

Watch for:

Looking Consistently Fatigued or Disheveled: Dark circles, wrinkled clothes, or an overall “drained” look can suggest chronic exhaustion or sleeplessness.
Wearing the Same Clothes for Several Days: This might indicate they’re skipping laundry or struggling to care about their appearance.
Neglecting Personal Grooming or Hygiene: Uncombed hair, unshaven faces, or changes in makeup or nail care may reflect apathy or a loss of routine.

What You Can Do

You don’t need to be a therapist to make a difference. Simply being aware, present, and compassionate can offer someone the safe space they’ve been missing. Many people just want to feel seen — and knowing someone notices can be a powerful first step toward healing.

Ask, Don’t Assume: Start with a non-judgmental, private conversation. A simple, “You haven’t seemed like yourself lately — is everything okay?” can open the door to connection.
Listen Without Fixing: Let them speak freely without jumping in to offer solutions. Sometimes, being heard is more valuable than hearing advice.
Offer Practical Support: Ask how you can help. That might mean taking a task off their plate, helping them speak to HR, or guiding them toward professional support resources.
Follow Up Over Time: One conversation won’t fix everything. Reconnect regularly, even just to say, “Just checking in — I’m still here if you need to talk.”
Lead With Empathy: Keep in mind, they may be doing the best they can just to get through the day. Patience and understanding can make your workplace feel safer for someone who’s struggling.

Final Thoughts

Mental health issues aren’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, they hide behind missed deadlines, long silences, or tired smiles. The colleague who seems fine might be the one who’s falling apart inside. In a world that glorifies hustle and performance, paying attention is a powerful act of humanity. You may not be able to change someone’s situation — but by noticing, caring, and reaching out, you could be the reason they don’t feel alone in it.

Five Signs Your Colleague’s Mental Health May Be Struggling