Ask the hard questions...
Today I had one of my employees come into work with obvious signs that she had been crying. She’s a young girl and over the past week or two I have watched her go from being visually put together...to not. I decided that I needed to pull her in and talk.
Initially she said she was fine. I decided to be brutally honest about how I have seen her change visually over the past couple of weeks...and how concerned I was because I can see a deep sadness in her face. I asked her if she had had suicidal thoughts. The easy she looked at me, I knew the answer just by the look on her face.
I talked to her for a while about getting some help and asking for help when she needs it. Reassuring here that it’s ok to ask for help...and that you can’t just shake out of it...you really do need some help. I gave her many options for help...1-800 numbers and the run down of who she can depend on including myself.
I think she felt better once done...but then I got to thinking...what would happen if I didn’t pull her aside and talk it out?
Please don’t hesitate to talk it out if you see someone that needs you to notice...
Until tomorrow...
