This informal CPD article, ‘Recognizing the Red Flags: Compassionate Response in Challenging Times’, was provided by iGROW CorpHealth, partnering with Corporates to drive Employee Engagement through Holistic Health Solutions.
Every September, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (1) reminds us of the importance of compassion and vigilance in supporting mental health. In the workplace, where many spend a significant portion of their lives, colleagues and leaders are often the first to notice when someone is struggling. Recognizing the warning signs and responding with empathy can make a profound difference. You don’t need to have all the answers, you only need to show care, listen, and guide toward support.
Why Awareness Matters
Mental health challenges, including suicidal thoughts, are more common than many realize. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year, and many more attempt it. It is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds worldwide. Early awareness and compassionate response can prevent crises from escalating (2).
Red Flags to Look For
Warning signs are not always obvious, but they often show up in three main ways: physical, emotional, and behavioral. Recognizing these patterns early can make all the difference.
- Physical signs: Ongoing fatigue, changes in sleep patterns (too much or too little), neglect of personal appearance, or unexplained aches and pains. These can reflect the strain of underlying mental health struggles.
- Emotional signs: Expressions of hopelessness, helplessness, or being a burden. Colleagues may appear unusually sad, anxious, or irritable. In some cases, they might withdraw emotionally, showing less enthusiasm or engagement in conversations and tasks.
- Behavioral signs: Noticeable changes in work habits, such as declining performance, frequent absences, or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Risk-taking, recklessness, or sudden outbursts can also signal deeper distress.
Research shows that timely recognition of these indicators is a key factor in effective suicide prevention efforts (3).
Responding with Empathy, Not Solutions
When someone shows signs of distress, your role is not to “fix” them but to create a safe, compassionate space where they feel heard. Active listening, withholding judgment, and validating feelingsare among the most effective ways to show support.
The American Psychiatric Association notes that employees who feel understood are more likely to seek help and less likely to disengage at work (4). Globally, the WHO emphasizes that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility and that compassion and connection are powerful protective factors (2).
Try a simple check-in like, “I’ve noticed you seem a bit different lately. I care about how you’re doing—do you want to talk?” Even small expressions of empathy can make someone feel less alone.
Encourage Professional Help
If a conversation reveals deeper distress, the next step is to connect your colleague with professional support. You do not need to have all the answers—sharing resources is not “handing off responsibility,” but helping them access the care they need. This may include reminding them about your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (5), pointing them to HR support, or sharing mental health hotlines. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that timely access to trained professionals is one of the most effective suicide prevention strategies (6).
Keep hotline numbers and EAP contacts handy. Offering a resource in the moment can be the bridge to life-saving support.
In Singapore
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): Call 1-767 (1-SOS) or text 9151 1767 (24/7 confidential support)
- Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Helpline: Call 6389 2222 (24-hour crisis support)
International
- United States: Dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, nationwide)
- United Kingdom & Ireland: Call 116 123 for Samaritans (24/7, free)
- Australia: Call 13 11 14 for Lifeline (24/7)
- Worldwide Directory: Visit findahelpline.com for hotlines in your country
Final Thoughts
Compassionate workplaces save lives, not only through policies but through everyday actions of colleagues who notice, listen, and care. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and World Suicide Prevention Day are reminders that mental health is everyone’s responsibility. You do not need to have professional expertise; being present, empathetic, and resourceful is enough to make a difference.
Perhaps take one step this week: share a mental health resource with your team or check in with a colleague who seems distant. Even a simple “How are you, really?” could open the door to hope and support.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from iGROW CorpHealth, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
REFERENCES
- https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-month/
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
- https://workplacementalhealth.org/notice-talk-act-at-work?utm_source
- https://igrowfit.com/blog/what-is-an-employee-assistance-program-eap-how-does-it-work
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/suicide#tab=tab_1
