HHS Employee Assistance Program

What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
What does the EAP offer?
Who may use the program?
What does it cost?
What typically happens when you call the EAP?
How can you tell if the EAP is for you?
What about confidentiality?

What is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
The EAP provides professional counseling services for HHS employees who are experiencing personal problems which may be affecting their quality of life or their ability to perform on the job. The program offers assessment, referral, short-term counseling, and follow-up for employees confronted with family and marital problems, substance abuse, stress, depression, and any other emotional and life challenges.

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What does the EAP offer?
The EAP offers information and other preventative services, initial assessment, and referral or short-term counseling for employees confronted with:

• Stress, anxiety, depression
• Alcoholism or alcohol use
• Drug abuse (legal or illegal)
• Marriage or family problems
• Bereavement or coping with a chronic illness
• Job or career concerns
• Legal or financial problems
  

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Who may use the program?
All employees of HHS may use the program at any time. Employees are encouraged to contact a counselor whenever they are experiencing personal problems. In many situations, family members of HHS employees are also eligible for the services of the program. Supervisors and managers may also seek the guidance of a counselor to determine the appropriateness of referring employees who might be experiencing work performance and conduct changes due to personal problems. Managers and supervisors may also contact the program when there is an event or situation that may impact the emotional wellness of the work organization.

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What does it cost?
There is no cost to the employee for the services of the EAP. If a referral is necessary to an outside facility, the cost of covering that service is the responsibility of the employee. The EAP counselor works closely with the employee to choose a referral that is covered by health insurance or that is within the employee's financial means.

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What typically happens when you call the EAP?
When an employee contacts the program, an appointment will be made to see an EAP counselor. Appointments are typically available during normal working hours and, in some locations, on evenings and weekends. The counselor will meet with the employee one or more times to determine the nature and extent of the problem and to decide on the best course of action. In many cases, an employee is experiencing personal problems that can be resolved in a few short-term counseling sessions with the EAP counselor. In other cases, a longer term intervention is indicated and a referral to the appropriate resource will be made. The EAP counselor will then follow-up with the employee to check on his or her progress and satisfaction with the services received.

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How can you tell if the Employee Assistance Program is appropriate for you?
How you feel is the best indicator that a problem exists. Generally, you you might consider asking for help if you:

• Feel preoccupied with a problem
• Fail repeatedly in your efforts to solve it yourself
• Spend a lot of energy denying a problem
• Feel sad, fearful, or unhappy most of the time
• Experience frequent mood swings
• Experience insomnia or sleep more than usual
• Experience loss of appetite or overeating
• Feel that some aspects of your life are unmanageable

Your job performance provides other clues about seeking assistance. You may consider asking for help if you:

• Have trouble concentrating
• Miss deadlines
• Make many mistakes
• Are absent often
• Have frequent accidents
• Avoid co-workers

You may also use the EAP’s services when a problem does not exist. You may want to:

• Prevent a situation from becoming a problem
• Gather information about mental health matters
• Get a mental health wellness "tune-up"
• Obtain information for concern of another person’s mental health
  

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What about confidentiality?
The EAP practices a strict confidentiality policy. Except in very restricted or emergency situations, EAP staff, by law, cannot and will not make any reference to your use of the program without your written permission. Records of the EAP are maintained separately from personnel and other organizational records.

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