Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) play a pivotal role in promoting and maintaining the wellbeing of employees as organisations increasingly recognise the relationship between employee wellbeing and organisational success. These programs provide confidential counselling, support, and resources to help individuals navigate personal and professional challenges, fostering a healthier and more resilient workforce.
The Importance of EAP
Navigating fast-paced and demanding work environments, which is the case for many employees, often means facing a myriad of challenges that can impact physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. From work-related stress and burnout to personal issues such as financial concerns and relationship difficulties, the pressures of modern life can take a toll on individuals, affecting their performance, engagement, and overall quality of life. This is where EAPs enter to play a massive role and aid the circumstances.
Benefits for Employees and Employers of EAP Counselling
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) counselling services offer a spectrum of benefits that are as diverse as the workforce they serve. For both, employees and employers, the advantages of engaging with EAP counselling are significant, encompassing immediate emotional support to long-term professional development and organisational health. Some of the benefits include:
For Employees
- Immediate Access to Professional Support: Employees can have timely access to trained counsellors or therapists who can provide guidance and support during times of crisis or distress.
- Enhancing Mental Health and Resilience: EAP counselling offers a safe and supportive environment to address mental health concerns, develop coping strategies, and build emotional resilience.
- Confidentiality and Privacy: Employees can seek help without fear of judgment, stigma, or possible impact on their professional reputation, as EAP counselling sessions are confidential.
- Improved Work-Life Balance: EAPs offer resources and support to help employees manage work-related stress, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and improve overall wellbeing.
- Personal Development: Counselling sessions provide opportunities for personal growth, self-awareness, and skill-building, empowering employees to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
For Employers
- Supporting Employee Engagement and Retention: By providing EAP counselling services, employers demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing, fostering a positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported, leading to higher levels of engagement and retention.
- Improved Attendance and Productivity: EAP counselling helps address underlying issues contributing to absenteeism and presenteeism, such as stress, anxiety, or personal challenges, leading to improved attendance and productivity.
- Enhanced Organisational Culture: Investing in EAP counselling contributes to a supportive organisational culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, leading to higher morale, satisfaction, and loyalty among employees.
- Cost Savings: By proactively addressing employee mental health and wellbeing, employers can reduce healthcare costs associated with untreated mental health issues, as well as costs related to turnover, absenteeism, and decreased productivity.
- Compliance and Risk Management: EAP counselling can help employers mitigate risks associated with workplace mental health issues, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements while promoting a safe and healthy work environment.
The Evolution of Employee Assistance Programs
The evolution of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) traces back to the mid-20th century when they emerged in response to mental health issues impacting workplace productivity. EAPs initially focused on providing counselling services to address substance abuse and addiction but gradually expanded to a broader range of mental health concerns and personal challenges.
Traditionally, EAPs served as reactive measures, offering crisis intervention and short-term counselling to employees facing difficulties. However, as workplaces evolved and awareness of mental health issues increased, there has been a shift towards a more proactive and comprehensive approach to employee wellbeing.
Today, EAPs play a crucial role in supporting holistic health and resilience by addressing mental health concerns and promoting overall wellbeing in the workplace.
Trends and Innovations in EAP Programs
The global health crisis has reshaped the landscape of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), emphasising the critical need for accessible and adaptable support systems in the workplace and adopting strategies for crisis prevention rather than crisis management. With remote work becoming the new norm, technology has emerged as a vital tool for enhancing the accessibility of EAP services. Virtual platforms and telehealth solutions have facilitated seamless access to immediate counselling and support resources, regardless of location.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of addressing diverse workforce needs within EAP programs. Employers have increasingly recognised the importance of offering tailored interventions to support employees dealing with various challenges, from stress and burnout to caregiving responsibilities and financial concerns.
Altius Group’s Vision as EAP Providers
A Holistic Approach to Workplace Wellbeing
Employee wellbeing encompasses more than just physical health—it's about nurturing every aspect of an individual's life to achieve optimal balance and resilience and offering a holistic approach to workplace wellbeing, starting from preventative care.
With a focus on confidential counselling and wellbeing services delivered by a psychologist or relevant professional, Altius Group’s EAPs ensure individuals receive the support they need to navigate personal and professional challenges. Accessibility is a key priority, with options for both in-person and telehealth appointments available, including 24/7 crisis counselling services for critical incidents.
Recognising that wellbeing extends beyond mental health, Altius Group's EAPs offer comprehensive support across various dimensions of wellness. From financial planning to promoting work-life balance, the programs aim to empower individuals to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
"PeopleSense by Altius, for example, has a strong clinical governance structure, regular supervision, and cohesive environment," explained Amanda Brown, Registered psychologist and Regional Manager NSW at Altius Group.
Moreover, tailored services further enhance the program's effectiveness, allowing organisations to align interventions with their unique goals and priorities.
Our most recent report on EAP clients' outcomes measured by the DASS21 and WHO-5 scale, has consistently demonstrated significant improvement. These show a reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms between 22% and 32% and a 23% increase in greater wellbeing within six counselling sessions using evidence-based treatment with PeopleSense by Altius’ psychologists.
Core Components of Altius Group’s EAP Services
Altius Group's EAP goes beyond individual support to promote a culture of wellbeing within organisations through evidence-based outcomes and therapy models that abide by ethical codes. The innovative approach offers holistic and tailored support (including nutrition, financial concerns, legal matters, and physical issues) that helps improve the employee's health and wellbeing. From programs such as AltiusLife, which includes the Wellbeing Webinar Series, to Health Coaching and Wellbeing Checks, Altius Group provides the right mix of expert, holistic, and wellbeing support services through an integrated hub of medical and allied health specialists.
And as Ms Brown notes, "... sometimes it’s hard to know what kind of quality you will get, but with Altius, you always get high-quality psychologists."
Through education, awareness campaigns, and ongoing engagement initiatives, the programs encourage employees to prioritise their health and take proactive steps towards self-care. By creating a supportive environment where employees feel valued and empowered, Altius Group's EAP helps to build healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces for all, regardless of individual circumstances or backgrounds.
The Scope of Services Offered
Psychological Support and Counselling
Our Psychological Support and Counselling service offers confidential assistance to enhance individuals' mental health, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Our qualified professionals address a wide array of personal and work-related issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, family or relationship problems, workplace conflicts, substance abuse, grief, trauma, and more.
Sessions can be face-to-face, online, or via phone, prioritising a friendly and caring approach focused on practical solutions. By providing employees with prompt access to psychological support, we help prevent long-term mental health issues and contribute to improved engagement, retention, and reduced psychosocial risks in the workplace. Additionally, we offer Welfare Checks following critical incidents or other stressors, ensuring employees receive the necessary support during moments of crisis.
Manager Assistance Program (MAP)
Our Manager Assistance Program (MAP) supports managers and supervisors facing challenges inherent in their roles. From navigating employee fitness concerns to managing organisational change, what sets our MAP apart is the commitment of our team of senior psychologists, who have been managers, high authority in a business, or organisationally trained psychologists, to understanding the specific organisational context of each client. This enables us to provide knowledge-based, tailored advice that aligns with the client's goals and values. Our program promotes a good work environment, improves communication, and prioritises employee wellbeing by providing managers with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their roles. Timely assistance with appointments are also available at short notice.
Wellbeing Support
Our Wellbeing Support program prioritises the proactive investment in employee health and happiness. By addressing a range of challenges impacting mental and physical wellbeing, including physical issues, nutrition, financial concerns, and legal matters, our holistic approach ensures comprehensive support tailored to individual needs. With the expertise of allied health professionals across psychology, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, nutrition, legal support, and rehabilitation, we provide personalised solutions that promote employee loyalty and satisfaction.
Unlock the full potential of your organisation's wellbeing and productivity by connecting with Altius Group's Employee Assistance Programs, designed to support the mental, physical, and emotional health of your workforce. Contact us online or call 1800 258 487 to learn more and get started today!
