Resource Tag: EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

This article examines some of the cultural differences that surround bereavement in the workplace. The negative impacts of September 11, 2001, on mental health are discussed, as well as employee assistance counseling in a multi-ethnic workforce. The article includes a variety of strategies that employers can use in the face of an employee’s loss. The […]

This article examines the needs of employees after the suicide of a loved one. 5 basic needs of the bereaved employee are identified: time, flexibility & freedom, consistent compensation/expectations, control & normalcy alongside work to keep the employee busy, & social/emotional support. The article examines the importance of each of these needs & how employers […]

This article examines the grief that co-workers can feel after an individualÕs suicide. The article provides a cost effective analysis of why postvention help for employees is actually profitable for employers. The article discusses low morale, low productivity, & the loss of staff that can follow an employee’s suicide. It also addresses what employee’s need […]

This article examines suicide among police officers in the United States. The author discusses several reasons for officer suicide, speculating that it may be a combination of family dysfunction, behavioral personality traits, & job related post-traumatic stress. He then addresses the shortcomings of suicide prevention programs for police officers. (7 refs) (SC)

Reprinted from “Training & Development”, November 1997.

Reprinted from “Public Management”, April 1994.

Reprinted from “Employee Assistance”, v.6, no.7, February 1994.

Reprinted from “EAP Digest”, January/February 1997.

While employees who have undergone a traumatic life experience are often referred for counselling & therapy, most organizations do not prepare managers & co-workers for the unique issues posed by the return of these employees to the workplace. The Study Circle, a “democratic”, interactive adult learning format, is introduced to educate managers & co-workers about […]

This newsletter is designed to encourage those in the policing profession to seek out help or aid others in the event of suicidal ideation/attempts by officers. This article provides an overview of suicide & lists some of the reasons why police officers are more predisposed to suicide than other professionals. Also included is a list […]

This police bulletin is meant to dispel commonly held beliefs about depression/suicide among police officers. Officer Terry Hillard has prepared a list of myths such as depression being “just a case of the blues”, “all in ones head” and “not a serious illness”. Hillard urges officers to seek out help when feeling depressed. Also included […]

This newsletter informs Chicago police officers of confidentiality issues in counseling received through Departmental services. Officer Hillard relates that many officers don’t seek counseling out of fear of personal information being released to the Department that could have detrimental effects on their careers. To urge officers to seek counseling, Hillard explains the privileges of the […]

Employers increasingly face the delicate & emotional issue of how to deal with suicidal workers. This article offers some suggestions including: 1) avoid dismissal; 2) protect other employees; 3) workplace security; 4) provide employee assistance; 4) obtain an authorization for full medical disclosure; 5) educate your employees about the employee assistance program; & 6) reintegrate […]

In this article, the author describes the suicide of a co-worker and how her fellow employees dealt with this event. A licensed clinical psychologist was brought in and through a “triage” approach the psychologist offered assistance to the deceased’s closest co-workers, then worked outward. The triage appraoch was effective. Shock, anger, guilt, and finally, acceptance […]

This report summarizes what the authors learned about a cluster of suicides (n=4) at a government facility. Psychological autopsies were used. No evidence of identification or imitation among the victims was noted, but there were numerous commonalities among the victims, particularly with respect to warning signs. Problems with the EAP, e.g. confidentiality, are reviewed. It […]

This article details the nature of traumatizing events & examines identification of the need for a debriefing process which allows for emotional release of the event & seeks to return employees to full productivity & the workplace to normalcy. It discusses the structure of the debriefing process & concludes with helpful information for professionals working […]

This article notes that the type & intensity of emotions experienced when a co-worker dies seem to depend on several factors including whether the ‘disaster’ was natural or manmade; the degree of violence or horror associated with the death; whether conditions causing the death continue to threaten others; & the worker’s grief resources. The range […]

This article reviews the growth of the terms “critical incident” and “critical incident stress debriefing”. The term critical incident is gaining acceptance, and employers are willing to fund CISD interventions. The article concludes by stating that by being attentive to the difference between a CI and a traumatic event, individuals experiencing trauma may recover faster […]

This study examines the impact of treatment for nonorganic, unipolar, reactive depression. The depression scores of a treatment group of 116 employess are analyzed against the pre- & post-test BDI scores of a comparison group of 83 employees. Significant differences were found on overall pre- & post-test scores between groups. There were significant differences between […]

The usefulness of writing in a journal as an effective, useful counselling tool is discussed. It discusses the definition of trauma & the components of human experience/consciousness that can be affected by trauma. 4 points therapists should keep in mind about writing assignments are: 1) the client’s safety & needs are always the primary concern, […]

Each suicide threat or completion touches family members traumatically & the disruption naturally carries into the workplace in some way. This article notes that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) professional must be prepared to provide an array of services such as crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, short term intervention, systematic education, & referral. Suicidal messages, […]