Supporting Someone Suffering From Stress

Welcome to Mind Tools' video learning series.

When someone is suffering from stress, it can be difficult to know how to support them. But, with the right approach, there are plenty of things you can do to help.

Stress can lead to serious mental and physical health problems. It can also affect performance, forcing others to "pick up the slack," which could potentially create tension in the team. Your support can be a crucial first step in battling these problems.

So, let's look at five ways you can help a friend or co-worker who's suffering from stress.

First, establish a connection. If you think that someone's struggling, find a quiet moment to ask them how they're doing. Then, listen to what they have to say. Don't judge them, or rush to offer solutions. Simply show them that you're there and willing to help.

Next, try to get to the root of the problem. Stress can be triggered by many different factors, both inside and outside of work. You don't always need the full details – particularly if the problems are personal – but it is important to have an understanding of the issue.

Then, suggest practical ways forward. For example, if someone's stress is caused by their workload, you could help them to get organized. Perhaps draw up a manageable to-do list or help to them to prioritize their tasks.

If possible, you could offer to take on some of their tasks yourself or delegate them to another co-worker. Be sure to encourage your friend to seek advice from their manager about the issue, too.

You may not be able to solve their problem, but sometimes offering friendship and support is help enough. Often, the most caring thing you can do is to point them toward professional support, or to your organization's employee assistance program, if it has one.

Sometimes other people's issues can become too big for us to handle by ourselves. If this happens, it can have a "ripple effect" and start to cause you stress. So, know when to take a step back. Encourage your friend to use wider support networks. Check they're accepting all the help that's on offer, and maintain your boundaries, particularly if you're beginning to feel overloaded.

To learn more about supporting people suffering from stress, see the accompanying article.