(adapted from Conference Board of Canada and CMHA Mental Health Works)
Poor Work Performance
- Consistent late arrivals or frequent absences/sick days
- Decreased productivity
- Lower quality of work
- Increase in errors
- Decline in dependability (e.g., not meeting deadlines or completing work tasks)
- Decreased interest or involvement in work
- May work longer hours, but performance still poor
Personal Changes
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
- Speech slowed down (or speeded up)
- Tired all the time or sleeping on the job
- Loss of interest/enjoyment in hobbies outside of work
- Frequent complaints of unexplained aches and pains, and insomnia
- Feelings of hopelessness and sadness
- Pronounced mood swings
- Change in appetite, seen through substantial weight loss or gain
- Change in sleep patterns – employee talks about inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Significant change in behavior or attire (e.g., disheveled)
- Talking about strange or “grandiose” ideas
- Evidence of alcohol or illicit drug use that interferes with work
Social Changes
- Lack of co-operation or a general inability to work with colleagues
- Tunes out what others say
- Irritability/hostility or blaming of others
- Resenting or even alienating parishioners
- Sudden outbursts at meetings
- Tearful when approached about tasks or performance issues
- Working at home to avoid the “negative energy” of the office
- Avoids eye contact when talking to others
- Withdrawal from, or extreme dependence on others
Note: The “red flags” will vary from one person to the next. Many of the signs could be a reflection of an employee who is having a bad day or week, or who is going through a difficult time in their life. A pattern that continues over time, however, may indicate an underlying mental health problem.
