How an EAP Can Improve Employee Mental Health

Today’s employers are increasingly recognizing the significant impact that mental health has not just on employee well-being, but also on productivity, engagement, and the overall success of their business.

The costs businesses shoulder when workplace mental health issues aren’t effectively addressed are staggering. According to Mental Health America’s Mind the Workplace study, the financial impact of mental health issues in the workplace adds up to $500 billion in lost productivity across the US each year.

But the implications of untreated mental health issues extend far beyond the bottom line. When employees grappling with stress and mental health issues are left untreated, it leads to unhappy work environments for teams, and the workplace as a whole. While the indirect impact of untreated mental health issues on the workplace might not be evident in productivity losses that can be easily quantified, they undeniably add to them.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have emerged as a key strategy that allows proactive employers to address, enhance, and even optimize workplace mental health. An effective EAP not only supports employees in addressing their mental health concerns, but also fosters a healthier, more productive work environment.

In this blog post, we'll delve into the inner workings of EAP mental health benefits, and how EAPs can support both employees and employers.

What is an EAP for mental health?

An EAP is a workplace program designed to assist employees in managing and overcoming personal problems that may affect their work performance, mental health, and well-being.

The overarching goal of an EAP is to create a healthier and more productive workplace by promptly addressing issues that can negatively affect an employee's mental health and job performance.

EAPs often provide a wide range of services including mental health coaching, therapy, psychiatry, on-demand resources, and referral services, all in a confidential manner. They may also provide services related to life management issues, such as assistance with work-life balance and referrals to additional services.

Most EAPs are not provided in-house, in fact, 62 percent of employers say they outsource their EAPs. And not all EAPs are created equal. Many EAPs can be hard for employees to access, and may not contain the most relevant or necessary services for employees.

Employers should take care to select programs that are accessible, with a blend of services that meet the actual needs of their workforce. An effective and well-utilized EAP boosts employee well-being and fosters a thriving workplace culture across the entire business.

How does an EAP work?

An EAP provides comprehensive mental health support services to employees, addressing a range of personal and professional issues. While there is a great deal of variation between programs, it’s helpful to identify the basic steps programs tend to involve.

Here's a simplified overview of how EAP mental health benefits work:

1. Engage members: Employees can self-refer to an EAP or be recommended by a manager. Confidentiality and sensitivity is key to ensure that employees feel safe reaching out and engaging help.
2. Prompt assessments: Professionals from the EAP program may conduct assessments to identify the specific problems an employee is facing. These assessments might cover various areas such as mental and emotional health, wellness, or other outside issues.
3. Mental health and wellness services: EAPs may offer a mix of services, including therapy, coaching, psychiatry, and counseling services. These services are usually intended to provide an immediate outlet for employees dealing with stressors, and may involve referring them to further treatment if needed.
4. Timely follow up: After initial contact, and throughout the services and referral process, effective EAPs provide follow-up services to ensure the employee is benefiting from the assistance, and to determine if further help might be needed.
5. Awareness and promotion: An EAP program is only effective when it’s utilized, and utilization only occurs when employees hear about the benefits and are encouraged to make use of them. Consistent promotion of an EAP helps ensure that employees are aware of the program, know how to access its services, and feel safe doing so.

By addressing personal and professional issues proactively, EAP mental health benefits promote a healthier, more productive workforce, and a supportive workplace environment.

What are the benefits of an EAP for employees?

EAPs provide critical support to employees, enhancing mental and emotional well-being and facilitating better job performance. Here’s an overview of the 3 main types of EAP employee benefits:

• Mental health and wellness services: EAPs typically offer a mix of free and confidential services for employees dealing with personal or work-related stressors. These services may include coaching, therapy, and psychiatry. By providing a safe, non-judgmental space for employees to express their concerns and gain tools, such services can help address and alleviate symptoms of mental health issues like anxiety and depression, improving emotional well-being.
• Work-life balance assistance: EAPs often provide resources and coaching to help employees better manage their work-life balance. This can involve assistance with time management, stress reduction techniques, or referral to childcare and eldercare resources. By easing these pressures, EAPs can help reduce the risk of burnout and improve mental health.
• On-demand health and wellness resources: Many EAPs offer wellness programs that promote healthier lifestyles, such as meditation, peer-to-peer support groups, and how-to resources across different areas of mental health and wellness. These resources can be utilized flexibly to help reduce stress, improve mood, and promote positive lifestyle changes.

What are the benefits of an EAP for employers?

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer numerous benefits for employers, from higher workplace satisfaction to reduced turnover, myriad cost savings, and improved retention and recruitment.

Here’s an overview of the top 5 benefits of an EAP for employers:

• Higher satisfaction: EAPs offer free services that can otherwise be costly or prohibitively difficult to access. When employee needs are well supported, satisfaction improves too.
• Improved productivity: By providing much-needed support for the personal and professional challenges employees face, EAPs help reduce workplace stress and distractions, leading to improved focus and boosts in productivity.
• Reduced absenteeism: EAPs give employees the tools they need to manage mental health issues, workplace stressors, and other personal challenges that often contribute to missed work, resulting in reduced absenteeism.
• Significant cost savings: By promoting early intervention and meaningful treatment, EAPs can decrease the significant costs businesses incur due to untreated mental health issues, such as healthcare costs and lost productivity.
• Informed management: EAPs can provide consultation and training for managers to help them respond effectively to signs of employee mental health issues. Research shows that managers have a strong effect on employee mental health. Well-trained leadership contributes to a supportive, productive, and well-functioning workplace.
• Enhanced retention and recruitment: A robust EAP is a clear, concrete signal that an employer prioritizes employee well-being, which can enhance job satisfaction, improve employee retention, and make the company more attractive to prospective employees.

When EAP mental health benefit programs are implemented effectively, they can lead to a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce—and make significant contributions to the overall success of the business.

How Frankly Improves Employee Mental Health Supporting employees by giving them the tools to manage their mental health can have numerous benefits for your team's well-being and your business as a whole. Frankly’s EAP is a responsive, personalized solution with a comprehensive mix of services, and includes effective employee outreach that ensures those services are utilized. Our EAP solution can complement an existing health benefits plan, and build out a robust support system for your employees. To learn more, book a 15 minute demo.