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Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are often underutilized, despite their potential to boost employee well-being, satisfaction, performance, and health. According to Mental Health America, only 4% of employees use EAPs each year, indicating a significant missed opportunity.
EAPs can vary by employer but most offer some common elements. They can address a variety of issues including mental health, substance misuse, eating disorders, marital issues, legal problems, child and elder care, gambling addiction, and psychological issues. Depending on the program structure, EAPs may provide employee education, evaluation, hotline services, counseling, or referrals. These confidential services can be run in-house, outsourced, or a combination of both. Effectively utilizing EAPs can result in benefits such as:
Despite the benefits of EAPs, employees often ignore them due to stigma and lack of awareness. They may feel ashamed or fear retribution from their employer. Many also lack understanding of what EAPs provide and how to use them. Difficulty accessing EAPs and lack of motivation or time further contribute to underutilization. Download the bulletin for more details.