I’m sure you’ve heard someone use the term EAP, most likely in your workplace or one of your friends who is talking about getting mental health support. EAP means Employee Assistance Program. These are usually external agencies paid for by your company who offer mental health support, guidance and advice amongst other thing. Some such as BUPA and AXA offer physical health cover as well. Some companies, such as some NHS trusts, offer in house EAP and therapy support.
“How have I not heard of this?” I hear you ask. Well most companies mention it in your introduction pack or on your starting week, and if you are anything like myself and a lot of other people you may have been too busy being anxious, remembering your sign in codes, trying to find the toilets, remembering everyone’s name and about 100 other important things about starting a new job, and as normal not being in need of mental health support at the time our brains will tend to file the information away and forget about it.
So if you are looking for counselling and mental health support, looking for support with a recent diagnosis, needing to explore a workplace issue, grieving, or any number of other things you might want to consider your EAP as a route to support. This means you can usual bypass the trip to the GP and the long NHS waiting list. Although sometimes the EAP might suggest contact with a GP if they feel antidepressants may be helpful in your particular case.
Most EAP companies will do an initial assessment with you resulting in a one off therapy support session or you being offer short term solution focused therapy of about 6 to 8 weeks, they also often offer mental health apps to download, and offer a 24 hours support line if needed.
A full list of EAPS and some of the help they can offer is available here https://www.eapa.org.uk/find-an-eap-provider/
If you’d like video, telephone or face to face counselling in the Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme or Staffordshire area please do contact Wright Minds at laura@wrightminds.co.uk or on 07598810304