Depressed Colleague

LegacyUser

Basically, in the building where I work, there is a man who does the cleaning. He is not employed by my company but rather the third party contractors we hire to do such work. He has always been an affable and very chatty guy. However, the last year he seems to have become quite down. Other colleagues have mentioned it to me.

Last week the issue of suicide came up. He didn't say he was considering it. Rather it came up academically but then he started talking about some of his own problems. It was enough to tell me that he had made a connection in his mind between suicide and his problems.

He is a recovering alcoholic who hasn't drank in 8 years. He is separated from his family and lives alone and outside his job, I don't think he has much contact with people. I think he is desperate for social contact as when he comes into my office to chat, it can take a long time before he leaves again. Physically, I have also noticed something of a decline and I'm not sure if he is even washing anymore.

Basically, I am wondering what I can do. I know there are resources I can potentially point him towards but I'm not sure how to do it without making him feel vulnerable or making him clam up and avoid the issue. I don't think he'd like people to think he was depressed as his outward image is so chatty and seemingly happy. I wouldn't know where to begin with something like this.

Any advice?

intheclouds

All you can really do is reach out a bit and ask him if he is ok and how is he feeling about things etc...

Suggest the resources you mention are there, either directly or in an academic conversation such as "I hear pieta house are doing great work with people who are suicidal" (or more tactful!).

Ultimately you can only acknowledge what he tells you and offer some support by way of advice. You cant make his life better for him and it is important that you accept that too - it can be difficult to accept that some people are just hard to help.