COUNSELING

Emotional and relationship challenges sometimes seem overwhelming, but personal problems are as treatable as any other health concern if you know where to turn. Telephone counselors assist with problem resolution and suggest options to help members with personal issues of any size.

Highlights

• Counselors work with a multitude of issues including:
• Depression, anxiety or stress
• Conflicts at work or home
• Reliance on alcohol, drugs, tobacco or food
• Sexual, physical or emotional abuse
• Loss and grief
• Change and transition

Members receive free unlimited telephone counseling services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Free telephone problem-solving services
• Counselor qualifications include a master's degree and five years of postgraduate experience
• Counselors follow up and monitor progress until member is satisfied
• When appropriate, members are referred to local licensed counselors
• Services are confidential and will not jeopardize employment

COUNSELING FAQs

Q. How much are members charged when using the Counseling Services?
A. Members are not charged to talk to a counselor, and they may use the benefit as often as they like. The fee for this service is included in the retail price of the membership card.

Q. What is a 24 Hour Counseling Service?
A. A telephonic counseling service (also known as an EAP) is a program that offers assistance to both members and their immediate family. Members are eligible to receive assessment, short-term problem resolution or referrals to address personal problems. All services are performed telephonically.

Q. Are counseling services just for members in crisis?
A. No. While counseling can certainly help members who are in crisis, the goal is to assist members in addressing personal problems early in an effort to prevent crisis. The Counseling Service provides assistance with a wide range of personal matters, such as self-improvement, parenting/family, marital/relationship, workplace issues, depression, anxiety, alcohol/drug abuse, gambling, etc.

Q. What if a member needs help beyond the scope of the Counseling Service?
A. Our Counseling Professionals can assist in helping align the right resources for the problem. The costs of these services are not covered in the program. We can help the member select which services would be of most help to them based on the information they provide.

Q. Is this service confidential?
A. The Counseling Service is a confidential program that provides telephonic access to experienced master-level EAP professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These professionals help assess problems and conduct short-term problem resolution for issues impacting work and/or personal life. As required by law, we cannot release information without the member's signed consent with exception of emergency situations and to report child abuse.

STATISTICS

"A special feature in the report America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2005 shows that nearly 5 percent — or an estimated 2.7 million children — are reported by their parents to suffer from definite or severe emotional or behavioral difficulties, problems that may interfere with their family life, their ability to learn, and their formation of friendships." National Institute of Mental Health, 2005

"Reports show that 65 percent of parents of children with definite or severe difficulties had contacted a mental health professional or general doctor, or that their child had received special education services, for emotional or behavioral problems. Nine percent of parents of these children said that they wanted mental health services for their child but were unable to afford them." National Institute of Mental Health, 2005

"The National Institute of Mental Health reports that an estimated 22.1 percent of American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year." Community College Week, 2005

"In 2001, 3.2 percent of adults aged 18 and over reported experiencing psychological distress during the past 30 days." National Center for Health Statistics, 12/02

"About 20% of children are estimated to have mental disorders with at least mild functional impairment." Office of the Surgeon General, 4/02