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Depression makes focusing on a task difficult. It can make a person less able to do his or her job well and can affect all of the relationships that a person has. While you cannot fix a coworker who is depressed, you can help to make a difference.

Here are some steps to take that will help you to help a coworker who is depressed:

1. Try to initiate a conversation. Your coworker who is depressed may not want to talk about it. You may need to approach him or her more than once to ask if there's something going on or if he or she wants to talk.

2. Once your coworker is talking, listen more than you talk. The focus is not on you, it's on understanding and helping a coworker who is depressed.

3. Listen without judgment. Even if your coworker talks about something that you feel is untrue, ask them to explain what makes them feel the way that they do. Don't criticize a statement that they make that you think is somehow wrong.

4. Ask what support your coworker needs. Maybe he or she doesn't know where to turn or doesn't feel comfortable taking the fircst steps towards moving forward. If he or she needs help calling a therapist or making an appointment with a doctor, offer to be there when the call is made. If he or she needs someone to go to the appointment with them, offer to go and be there as a support.

5. Encourage other coworkers to be more supportive. Once you've opened the door and started to help your coworker, ask others to do the same.

When a coworker is depressed, you cannot fix the situation; he or she needs to take action towards overcoming the depression. But you can be supportive and help him or her to take the fist steps.

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