Depressed, suicidal employee

[primate58]

I have a small construction business and one of my employees is going through severe depression and has confided in me that he has suicidal thoughts. He is seeing professional help properly. I have expressed to him that I want to help and be supportive in any way I am able to. I really want to see him turn his situation around and be successful, confident, and happy. I'm not sure how to handle this in a leadership role. I've dealt with depression and sucidal thoughts myself and though I wouldn't call myself a beacon of mental health I can call myself a genuinely happy person now. That being said, going through that has taught me that it's an individual thing to work through. No matter how anyone sympathizes, empathizes, or claims to understand what the individual is going through it is of no consequence. Any advice for my role in this situation would be greatly appreciated.

[mynewunit]

Awesome question. Jocko talked about this with Joe Rogan, on the JRE podcast near the beginning, and with Tim Ferris. You need them to know that they are needed and loved.  Get their focus on small victories.  There will be tons of setbacks. He is talking about it so he is heading the right way.  Make sure they aren't alone. 
Obviously there are a lot of things that help depression. Building physical strength. Good and scheduled sleep. Good diet. Completed Tasks. Adrenaline. They are all more difficult when you are depressed. I would get him a coach to help him get better, and you a coach on how to help. Simple, not easy.  


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