It’s not always easy to tell when someone is struggling with their mental health at work. After all, much of it happens internally, right? Luckily, there are clear employee signs – both physical and emotional –that can help you recognize when someone is in trouble. Knowing how to spot mental health issues at work is key to offering timely support.
In a major study into workplace well-being by UK-based mental health charity Mind, 48% of the 44,000 workers surveyed said they had experienced a mental health problem while performing their current job – yet only half of those individuals had spoken to their employer about it.
Many employees hesitate to disclose mental health issues at work due to shame, vulnerability, or fear of overstepping workplace boundaries. But recognizing when someone is struggling at work and offering support can prevent a serious mental health issue from spiraling out of control.
Even if you don’t feel you can help someone directly, you can still point them in the direction of someone who can.
How to spot mental health issues at work
Mental health struggles often manifest in subtle ways before becoming obvious. That’s why knowing how to spot mental health issues at work is such a vital skill for managers and colleagues alike. By recognizing the early signs of poor mental health at work or identifying when someone is struggling with coworkers or their workload, you can offer timely support. Below are 10 critical employee signs to watch for—helping you understand when it’s time to step in and help a struggling team member before things escalate.
1. Untypical behavior
If a colleague is acting aggressively, becoming unusually quiet, or simply not behaving like themselves, pay attention. These could be signs that an employee is unhappy or signs of poor mental health at work. Men, for instance, may express anxiety and depression through anger rather than sadness, while typically calm colleagues may become irritable or aggressive.
2. Uncharacteristic or untidy appearance
Behavioral changes often show up physically. Neglecting grooming or dressing inappropriately may signal deeper struggles and are often employee signs of poor mental wellbeing.
3. Decreased productivity
Struggling employees often find it hard to concentrate and stay engaged. Signs of anxiety in employees might include difficulty completing tasks, low motivation, and declining productivity.
4. Change in sleeping patterns
Lack of sleep in the service of work assignments is frequently worn as a badge of honor in unhealthy work environments, but insomnia and difficulty sleeping are red flags for potential mental health issues. If a colleague regularly shares with you that they have a sleep deficit, it could indicate they’re struggling with mental health at work. Consider promoting workshops on sleep hygiene or recommending professional support.
5. Change in eating patterns
If someone skips lunch or avoids eating with co-workers – especially if they didn’t before – it may reflect social withdrawal or more serious issues like disordered eating. These behaviors are subtle signs an employee is unhappy.
6. Withdrawal
Frequent short-term absences might suggest that an employee is having difficulty coping. Recognizing absenteeism as a potential sign of mental health struggles helps you understand how to help a struggling team member.
7. Increased absence
An employee taking regular, short-term absences may indicate that they are struggling to cope with an underlying mental health matter.
8. Changes in working patterns
Arriving late or leaving early can signal more than poor time management—it may mean an employee is barely keeping afloat while dealing with mental health challenges.
9. Irrational fears, paranoia, or anxiety
Excessive worries about job security, paranoia about colleagues, or irrational fears about unrelated matters are often signs of anxiety in employees. These should be taken seriously as they frequently point to underlying mental health concerns.
10. Substance use/misuse
If you notice substance misuse, it’s important to look beyond the stigma. This can be a clear indicator that a colleague is in urgent need of help and is often a last-resort coping mechanism for someone seriously struggling at work.
If you notice any of these employee signs, it’s time to reach out. Even if their behavior isn’t directly related to mental health, asking how they’re doing and whether they feel happy with their work responsibilities can open important conversations.
Remember that three out of four people say they’re fine even when they’re struggling, so you may need to ask a colleague how they’re doing more than once.
Ideally, team-leads should check in regularly on the mental health of their team. Not everyone is willing to discuss their mental health in a group setting, so also try scheduling one-to-one catch-ups, using an anonymous survey (such as those created by employee evaluation specialists, Leapsome or Peakon).
A 2018 survey by Accenture revealed that 61% of employees who shared their mental health struggles did so first with a close colleague rather than with HR. This highlights why it’s crucial for everyone to know how to help a struggling team member and where to direct them for professional help.
Just 15% of the UK employees surveyed approached an HR team member or workplace wellbeing specialist first. Building a culture where conversations about mental health are normalized—and where leaders model mental-health-friendly behavior—is the most effective preventive step any organization can take.
