Assisting a Colleague in Distress

Everyone plays an important role in promoting a positive mental health culture and supporting other's mental health and wellbeing. Recognize common signs of distress and how you can offer assistance.


Ask
Support
Refer
Follow up

Call 911 for all imminent life-threatening situations. For all other safety concerns, call Campus Security at 403.220.5333

Possible Indicators of Distress

  • Experiencing a low mood with feelings of heightened worry, anxiety, sadness, or pain.
  • Behaving in a manner that is out of character or unusual.
  • Withdrawing from colleagues, family, or friends.
  • Prolonged irritability and/or unpredictable outbursts of anger.
  • Expressing hopelessness or referencing suicide, self-harm, or harm to others.
  • Displaying unusual disinterest in or disregard for work with marked changes in concentration.

Offering Support and Assistance

Ask

  • Trust your instincts.
  • It's okay to ask and express concern.
  • Be specific about the behaviour that worries you.

"Are you okay? I've noticed you seem down lately — is there anything I can do to help?"

Support

  • Listen with an open mind.
  • Ask questions to help understand the situation.
  • Acknowledge thoughts and feelings.

"It sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now. I am here to listen."

Refer

  • Point out that there are resources and supports available and encourage your colleague to seek help early.
  • Offer to help your colleague connect with resources.
  • Accept that your role is to be a supportive colleague and if your colleague declines your offer of help, respect their decision (except in emergency situations).

"Is there anything I can do to help you connect with resources?"

"I respect your decision and I'm here if you'd like to talk."

Follow Up

  • Continue to check-in with your colleague to see how they are doing.
  • Practice self-care and seek personal support as needed.

"How are you doing? I'm here if you'd like to talk."


Immediately Report

  • Aggressive, threatening, or violent behavior.
  • Immediate safety concerns related to suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
  • Medical emergencies, including drug or alcohol poisoning.
  • Call 911 for all imminent life-threatening situations. For all other safety concerns, call Campus Security at 403.220.5333

Make the Right Referral — Resources are Available

Encourage your colleagues to connect with available resources as soon as possible. Remind them that even though asking for help can be difficult at first, recognizing when and why we need some extra assistance is actually a sign of strength.

On-campus Resources

Staff Wellness

Calling Staff Wellness is a great first step for faculty or staff or post-doctoral scholars experiencing distress. The Mental Health Consultant and Ability Management Advisors can provide advice about appropriate on and off-campus support resources.

403.220.2918 | staffwellness@ucalgary.ca | ucalgary.ca/staffwellness

Campus Security

For all imminent life-threatening situations, call 911. For all other safety and security concerns, call Campus Security for 24/7 support and immediate response.

403.220.5333 | ucalgary.ca/risk/campus-security

Sexual Violence Support Advocate

The Sexual Violence Support Advocate at UCalgary offers confidential support and information regarding sexual violence to all members of the university community.

403.220.2208 | ucalgary.ca/sexualviolencesupport

Protected Disclosure and Research Integrity Office

The Protected Disclosure and Research Integrity Office services as a centralized resource to all members of the university community and the central point of contact for dealing with Protected Disclosures and Research Integrity Issues.

disclose@ucalgary.ca | www.ucalgary.ca/pdri

Confidence Line can be reached 24/7 at: 1.800.661.9675

Student Wellness Services

Faculty and staff can contact Student Wellness Services for information about assisting students or visit for walk-in medical appointments, chiropractic treatments, massage therapy and nutrition services.
403.210.9355 | ucalgary.ca/wellnesscentre

Off-campus Resources

Employee and Family Assistance Plan

The Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) through TELUS Health offers a continuum of supports and services. EFAP provides in-person, online, telephone, and email support at no cost to faculty and staff. EFAP can connect individuals seeking longer-term support to community resources.

1.866.424.0699 | EFAP - TELUS Health

211 Alberta

211 Alberta connects users to the right community and social services. Dial 211 to speak to an information and referral specialist, search the online resource directory, or chat onlinedaily from noon to 8 p.m. MST.

Dial 211 | ab.211.ca

Access Mental Health

Access Mental Health provides information, consultation and referral to individuals with addiction and/or mental health concerns. Clinicians work over the phone to help you navigate the addiction and mental health system.

403.943.1500 | 1.844.943.1500

Distress Centre Calgary

Connect to professional counsellors at the Distress Centre Calgary through their 24-hour crisis line, email, or online chat. Face-to-face counselling is also available.

403.266.HELP (4357) | distresscentre.com

Community Connect YYC

Direct 24/7 online booking tool that helps individuals quickly access mental health supports when they need it the most. This service connects the community to a range of supports, including several types of counselling, and even basic needs help, often within the week. 

CommunityConnectYYC


Your Employee and Family Assistance Plan

When you or someone you care about needs support, help is available through the Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) from LifeWorks. Whether you need advice, counselling or treatment, the EFAP can lend a hand. UCalgary faculty and staff can access this valuable resource 24 hours a day at no cost.

Counselling Services

  • In-person, over the phone, live-chat, or video counselling available
  • 24/7, free, and confidential crisis support
  • Bridging to community resources and specialized referrals and treatment, if needed

Services

Achieve Wellbeing

Stress, mental health concerns, grief and loss and crisis situations

Manage Relationships and Family

Communications, separation/divorce, and parenting

Deal with Workplace Challenges

Stress, performance, and work-life balance

Tackle Addictions

Alcohol, drugs, tobacco/nicotine, gambling

Find Child/Elder Care Resources

Child care, schooling and nursing/retirement homes

Get Legal Advice

Family law, separation/divorce, custody

Receive Financial Guidance

Debt management, bankruptcy, retirement

Connect

Call Lifeworks toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to book appointments or access immediate help 

Phone: 1.866.424.0699 

TTY: 1.877.338.0275

International (Outside of North America): 1.905.886.3605

EFAP - LifeWorks