Advising an Employee

I have an employee who is having suicidal thoughts, I just learned yesterday. I called my T and asked for referrals for a therapist for her. I gave the employee the name and number of the T and also the Crisis hotline number.

My dilemma is this: How much should I be involved? Should I check to see if she's begun therapy? Is that too intrusive? I don't want to invade her privacy but I also do not want to see her harm herself?

What is the balance between being invasive and being attentive?

I did talk with her today and told her that having these thoughts is not shameful. I admitted I understood to some degree her feelings of darkness and blackness. I told her how effective therapy can be, though it might take some time.

I'm not sure it was wise to reveal myself that way. I suspect some people may not consider therapy because they don't know how useful it can be or they're embarrassed.

Should I drop the conversation completely now or should I ask her occasionally how she's doing? I don't see her often because she works in a different office so it's not like it can be a natural part of a conversation.

Did the employee come to you for support or information? Are you the human resources person? Do you have the power to fire her or any supervision over her? I think those things make a difference.

Yes, she did confide by her own volition. Yes, I have the power to fire her.
Our company is small and we have no human resources person. My H and I as owners handle that part of the job.

I'm feeling like I won't approach her again about this matter. I don't want to get too involved. I think I've done enough. I've given her name of T and Crisis hotline. The next step is hers. (I'll still be concerned)

Her job is not on the line. She would never be dismissed from her position. She is a valuable worker and we usually are very lenient with employee's personal problems. (probably too lenient). My goal is to do no harm.

I would personally just leave it alone now.

I think that the ball is in her court now. I'm not a lawyer and I work for a large company, but those new HIPPA laws are brutal. I did something similar with one of my subordinates and then left it up to her. Good luck, Im sure she appreciated the help.

That was so caring of you! Truly. I agree that the ball is in her court now. I also had a conversation with a colleague (he was suffering tremendously) and then left it up to him.

Unfortunately, he was at a tipping point and ended up leaving in quite a meltdown ... he is still not doing well (from what I understand), but at least I know I tried.

There is still so much stigma to mental health issues that I would feel honored if I had the opportunity to talk to someone IRL about how much I was suffering and not worry it would be held against me.

I would leave it alone. You gave her the name and number to a T. That's good enough. I think any further help would become a boundary issue.

You must be quite a good boss if she told you stg like this. It wouldn't even cross my mind to talk about stg so personal with my boss or ppl at HR- nobody knows I'm in therapy.
I agree with others- you've done more than enough- handle it pretty well. Now it's up to her.