Leveraging Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
During these unprecedented times, fear and uncertainty can take a toll on an employee’s well-being. Let’s face it, with self-quarantining, shelter in place, social distancing, and homeschooling, this new way of life can leave us all feeling anything but steady. Now more than ever, you and your employees may be struggling with anxiety, stress, and depression.
Did you know a majority of health plans offer an Employees Assistance Program (EAP)? An EAP is a voluntary, work-based program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal and/or work-related problems.
Your EAP is likely to offer services to assist with many or all the following issues that may be impacting your employees and their families during these challenging times:
- Depression and anxiety
- Fear and isolation
- Health impairment
- Stress
- Substance abuse
- Sleeplessness
- Grief
- Child-care and virtual schooling issues
- Elder-care issues
- Financial challenges (e.g., wage reductions, student loan repayment, debt, investment losses )
- Housing concerns
- Family issues (e.g., marriage/partner conflicts, parenting challenges)
- Workplace concerns (e.g., sudden work-from-home, job stress, co-worker communications)
There should no longer be a stigma around mental health. We are all going through the storm, just in different boats. The EAP is continually evolving its services to help employees cope with the shifting demands they are now facing.
Contact your health plan provider to find out if you have an EAP available and promote this extremely valuable resource to your team. Don’t forget we’re all in this together!