When people think about mental health problems, they often picture someone who is visibly distressed or overwhelmed. In reality, mental health risk is not always obvious. Many people continue going to work, attending meetings and carrying out their usual responsibilities while struggling with thoughts and feelings that others cannot see.
Recognising when someone may be at immediate mental health risk is one of the most important aspects of supporting wellbeing. Whether you are a manager, HR professional, colleague or friend, knowing what to look for can help ensure someone receives the support they need before a situation becomes a crisis.
While no one is expected to diagnose a mental health condition, recognising warning signs and responding appropriately can make a significant difference.
What is immediate mental health risk?
Immediate mental health risk refers to situations where someone’s mental wellbeing has deteriorated to the point that there may be a serious risk of harm to themselves or, in some cases, to others. This does not always mean a person is suicidal, but it does indicate that urgent support and assessment may be needed.
Mental health crises can develop gradually or appear to escalate suddenly. Often, there have been warning signs for some time, but they may have gone unnoticed or been mistaken for everyday stress.
This is why recognising changes in behaviour is just as important as responding to obvious signs of distress.
Warning signs that someone may be at immediate mental health risk
Every individual experiences mental health difficulties differently, so there is no single checklist that confirms someone is at immediate risk. However, certain warning signs should never be ignored, particularly when several occur together or represent a significant change from the person’s usual behaviour.
Someone may begin withdrawing from colleagues, friends or family, avoiding conversations or losing interest in activities they previously enjoyed. Others may appear unusually anxious, agitated or emotionally overwhelmed, finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions.
Expressions of hopelessness, feeling trapped or believing they are a burden to others can also indicate an increased level of mental health risk. Comments such as “I can’t cope anymore,” “Everyone would be better off without me,” or talking frequently about death should always be taken seriously.
Other warning signs may include dramatic mood changes, increased alcohol or drug use, taking unusual risks, neglecting personal appearance, giving away valued possessions or saying goodbye in ways that seem out of character.
None of these signs automatically mean someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. However, they do suggest that further conversation and, where appropriate, a mental health risk assessment may be necessary.
Don’t ignore changes that feel out of character
One of the most common reasons people miss the warning signs is because they explain them away.
Perhaps a colleague seems quieter because they are busy. Maybe they have become irritable because work has been stressful. While these explanations may be true, they should not prevent someone from checking in if the change feels significant.
People who know someone well are often the first to notice subtle differences in behaviour. Trusting those observations can be the first step towards helping someone access support.
It is always better to have a supportive conversation than to regret saying nothing.
Why mental health risk assessment matters in the workplace
Mental health risk is not only a personal issue. It is also a workplace concern. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 964,000 workers in Great Britain experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety during 2024/25, accounting for more than half of all work-related ill health. These conditions led to 22.1 million working days being lost, highlighting why organisations should identify and manage mental health risks before they escalate.
Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees. While many organisations regularly assess physical hazards, mental health risks are sometimes overlooked until someone reaches crisis point.
A workplace mental health risk assessment helps organisations identify factors that may be affecting employees’ wellbeing before they cause serious harm. Excessive workloads, unclear expectations, bullying, poor communication, traumatic incidents, lone working and lack of support can all contribute to increased mental health risk if they are not properly managed.
Risk assessment should not only happen after an incident has occurred. It should form part of an organisation’s ongoing approach to creating a psychologically healthy workplace, with regular reviews and open conversations about wellbeing.
By identifying workplace stressors early, employers can reduce the likelihood of problems escalating and create an environment where employees feel safe asking for help.
What should you do if you believe someone is at immediate mental health risk?
If you are concerned about someone, start by speaking with them privately in a calm and supportive way. Listen without judgement and allow them time to talk about how they are feeling.
If the person tells you they are thinking about harming themselves or you believe there is an immediate danger to their safety, treat the situation as an emergency. Do not leave them alone if you believe they are at imminent risk. Follow your organisation’s emergency procedures and seek urgent assistance from the appropriate emergency or crisis services.
If the situation is serious but not immediately life-threatening, encourage the individual to contact their GP, mental health services or employee assistance programme (EAP), if one is available.
You do not need to solve the problem yourself. Your role is to recognise the potential risk, respond compassionately and help the person access appropriate support.
Recognising risk is everyone’s responsibility
Mental health risk is not always visible, and there is rarely one obvious warning sign that tells us someone needs urgent help. More often, it is a pattern of changes in behaviour, mood or communication that suggests someone is struggling.
By learning to recognise these signs, having the confidence to start supportive conversations and ensuring appropriate mental health risk assessments are carried out in the workplace, organisations can create safer, healthier environments where problems are identified earlier rather than only when a crisis occurs.
Developing these skills takes more than good intentions. Understanding how to identify warning signs, assess levels of risk and respond appropriately helps managers, HR professionals and Mental Health First Aiders feel more confident when supporting others. Our Risk Assessing Mental Health course provides practical guidance on recognising mental health risk, carrying out effective risk assessments and taking appropriate action when someone may need urgent support.
Sometimes, simply noticing that someone is not themselves and taking the time to ask how they are doing can be the first step towards getting them the help they need.