Psychology Melbourne Blog

News and Insights from the Science of the Mind

5 reasons why employees don't use their EAP... and why they should

Edited by Jill Wright,

5 reasons why employees don't use their eap... and why they should

1. Shame and fear of repercussions  

Despite increasing public recognition that caring for our mental health is essential and nothing to be ashamed of, some people still feel that there could be social repercussions and career consequences of consulting a professional. In fact, EAPs promote early intervention that can prevent more serious conditions and they are completely anonymous. Psychologists’ professional ethics prevent them disclosing the identity and issues of employees who take advantage of EAP sessions.

2. The issue must be work-related

Relationship and family issues are intimately connected with workplace issues and performance. Stresses in one area generally flow into the other and it can be impossible at times to distinguish chicken from egg. An EAP recognises that and in many cases even provides assistance to an employee’s family. Dealing with troubling circumstances in one sphere generally results in universal improvements in wellbeing and attitude.

3. Time Pressures

Precious few if any people are ever taught the strategies essential to balancing work commitments and the demands of personal, relationship and family demands. Little wonder then that so many of us are constricted by feelings of guilt and/or victimhood and wrong-headed notions such as that we can’t or shouldn’t take the time to seek help. Psychologists are trained to identify those conflicts and provide practical tools and tactics for dealing with them. They can show you how to handle difficult people and situations and help you work smarter and more efficiently.

4. Thinks that talking won’t help

 The fiction of the strong and silent type who never needs help mercifully died with John Wayne. Keeping things bottled up generally has predictable, explosive consequences. Psychologists are experts in the science of the mind, and all the research shows that their interventions work.

5. EAP is too complicated

Simple, quick and easy. These three words perfectly describe the EAP services at Psychology Melbourne. And there’s one more: effective.
 

About the editor, Jill Wright

Jill Wright (MAPS, AAFT, AICD) is the Director and Principal Psychologist at Psychology Melbourne. Jill was twice elected General Director of the Australian Psychological Society and established the APS Victorian branch Study Group Network. Find out more about Jill Wright.

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