Indicators of Distress
For situations that may not pose an immediate safety risk but cause concern, use the following guidance to help you identify a colleague in distress. Pay particular attention to notable changes in the colleague's behavior, performance, mood, and appearance. Any one of the following indicators alone does not necessarily suggest the colleague is at risk or needs intervention. Together, however, they may indicate the colleague needs or may be asking for help.
- Expressing feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Marked changes in physical appearance (e.g., grooming or hygiene deterioration)
- Reckless, risky, or impulsive behavior
- Behavior seems out of context or concerning
- Signs of paranoia or odd beliefs that are not reality-based
- Flattened emotional expression or indifference
- Sudden decline in quality of work, professionalism, and performance
- Pattern of disorganization not previously observed
- Repeated absences
- Multiple requests for extensions on deadlines
- Unusual/disproportionate emotional response to events
- Excessive tearfulness or panic reactions
- Uncharacteristic irritability, disproportionate reactions, and behaviors such as taunting or intimidation
- Concern from peers
- Signs of possible abuse or self-injury (e.g., cuts, burns, bruises)
The simplest and best advice is to take any concerns about suicide or self-harm seriously and connect the colleague to professional help. While no single formula can determine if someone is simply sad or is severely depressed or at risk for suicide, these and similar behavioral red flags may indicate a colleague needs professional assistance.
To learn more about asking about suicide, consult the Columbia Lighthouse Project.
