I'm worried about one of my colleagues

There's no-one and nowhere that is safe from mental strains. They can affect anyone. If difficult situations last a long time, they can lead to illness. That impairs the quality of our work or the working atmosphere, or leads to people signing off sick. You can help prevent it coming to that. Your colleague may find it easier to take the first step by talking to you rather than their line manager. So why not take the first step yourself?

Talking makes solutions possible

In the working environment many people feel inhibited about raising the subject of mental problems. You don't want to invade your colleague's space. But raising the subject with them shows that they are appreciated and important to you. The sooner one of their colleagues reacts, the more recoverable the situation becomes.

Talking reduces stress and gives us strength

Talking alone won't make anyone's problems go away. You shouldn't expect everything to change right after your conversation. However, having someone who listens and is interested and sympathetic brings relief and hope. It does you good.

You don't need to solve the problems

Anxiety about having to solve the problems they bring up puts many people off having a conversation. You can't change your colleague's situation at work, or their home circumstances. Your sympathetic ear and your interest give the help that's needed.

Consider your own mood

Don't try to start the conversation unless you're feeling at ease and confident.

Pick a suitable time

An in-depth conversation takes time, so don't start it if either of you has to be somewhere in ten minutes' time. Sometimes it helps to ask when the person has time for a conversation.

Find a suitable place

where you won't be disturbed and you both feel at ease. Many people find it easier to talk about difficult things while walking. A stroll at lunchtime could be a good opportunity.

It's OK if it doesn't work

The other person may well not respond to your invitation to talk. Don't take it personally. Maybe they're not in the mood, or perhaps they need time to pluck up courage. Try again later.

You might start like this:

Listening is what matters most

Many people are afraid of not being able to find the right words. But this underestimates the benefits of simply having somebody sympathetic to talk to. Your starting point for the conversation should be that you want to understand how your colleague is feeling. Think up good questions rather than looking for answers.

Show sympathy

It feels good to be understood. You might express sympathy by saying:

Silences are not a problem

Everybody sometimes has trouble finding words when talking about difficult situations. Don't be in a hurry to end pauses and silences. To get the conversation going again, it sometimes helps to say:

Know your own limitations

If you get the impression that the other person needs more help, you might say:

Don't offer to give more help unless you want to provide it

Your attention and readiness to listen are a great help to the other person. If that's as far as it goes, that's OK too. If you feel like it, you can give practical help – like fetching your colleague from his desk to go to lunch. Or you could just stick to listening:

Don't play the blame game

Remarks like «Why don't you just pull yourself together?» or «We all get stressed» aren't helpful. Mental illnesses are never a matter of willpower.

No advice or hints

We have a tendency to want to offer solutions. Remarks like «Next time, just be more relaxed about it» make sufferers feel under pressure or that they haven't been listened to properly. Listen carefully. If you're specifically asked what you would advise, you can refer to inputs for mental health or to this website.

Don't talk about your own problems

Sometimes, with the best of intentions – to show understanding and sympathy – we talk about our own problems. This makes the other person feel you're not taking them seriously. But if you yourself have been through a very similar situation, then share your experience.

Don't deliver any diagnoses

Even if you suspect the other person is suffering from a specific illness, leave diagnosis to a specialist – otherwise the other person will feel that you've pinned a label on him.

No belittlement

Don't say «Everything will be fine again soon» or «This will pass». Remarks like this make sufferers feel that they're not being taken seriously.

No pressure

You should go into the conversation with the attitude that you only want to know what the other person wants to tell you. If the other person breaks off the conversation, don't try to prolong it. You can try again another time.

Sometimes the conversation can just all get too much. These words will help you to find a good way to end it.

Whatever you hear, keep it to yourself

If professional or private matters came up in the conversation, keep them to yourself. If you need to talk to somebody else about them, do so in private – and don't name names. If you feel that outside help is required, though – if somebody is suicidal, for example – then you should call 143 and talk to Die Dargebotene Hand / La Main Tendue, which also advises those who are close to people in crisis.

Make sure you're all right

It will do nobody any good if you fall ill yourself. Don't simply accept the transfer of your colleague's work from his desk to yours. Take time for your own needs and interests. The following ideas will help.