A mentor may sometimes discover that a mentee’s current inability to carefully collect information, to consider sensible options and probable consequences, and to pursue workable alternatives is directly connected to an overreactive history of dealing with basic as well as complex issues.
In such cases, mentees could greatly benefit from exposure to a more rational and reflective approach, especially when the stress response is generated more by internal anxiety than by a realistic appraisal of external conditions.
Mentees who appear to be suffering from this type of stress reaction and subsequent overload need to learn more productive coping strategies, especially with regard to the often difficult task—intellectual as well as emotional—of developing a more objective, comprehensive view of empirical events rather than relying exclusively on the often narrow conclusions of subjective perception and personal interpretation.
Mentees who habitually overreact are often unable to distinguish minor from major problems, and expend maximum personal energy daily on events that only require minimum exertions. Then they are often too fatigued and overwrought to deal with truly significant concerns.
Of course, when there also are real-world conditions that account for the high degree of situational stress, mentors should certainly consider referring mentees to qualified mental health professionals as well for specific assistance with life and work issues.
Mentors can be pragmatic role model resources as they demonstrate the factual art of striving for an analytical appraisal of problems as well as for balanced and functional solutions.