Employees go through a lot. From relationship problems to family issues, financial stress, and even substance abuse, the life of an employee can be feel chaotic at times, and this impacts can productivity.
When it comes to health benefits, those pertaining to mental health are often overlooked.
Mental Health and EAP
EAP, also known as Employee Assistance Program, is a form of counseling service that is specifically designed to address the mental health issues of employees – challenges faced at the workplace and issues in personal or family life.
Most companies have an EAP program in place. Here are some examples of the type of issues that EAP counseling can help employees with:
- Changes at the workplace or the fear of being laid off from job
- The pressure to perform in a better way and meet the ever-rising job expectations
- The demand for an increase in working hours
- The inability to maintain work-life balance
Workplace stressors can affect employee mental health and hinder productivity at the workplace. Employees that have access to EAP counselors can get help right away and manage matters that are impacting their mental health.
Apart from this, EAP also covers mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, etc. Additionally, EAP counselors may be able offer family and legal advice that can help the employee in dealing with the problems that they face, outside of workplace.
Moreover, if an employee is dealing with extreme grief due to the death of a loved one, or is trying to cope up with the bitter memories of a traumatic event, EAP counseling can prove to be of immense help.
When left untreated, stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues can linger on and impact the job performance of employees. EAP counseling allows employees to deal with stress to stay mentally fit and productive and employed.
If you believe you would benefit, ask your HR department about accessing your EAP benefits.