Using Employee Assistance Programs to help improve mental health at work
SIRA has undertaken research into Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to help workplaces improve mental health at work.
SIRA has undertaken research into Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to help workplaces improve mental health at work.
EAPs are available in many medium and large workplaces to provide free and confidential counselling services to employees.
Encouraging greater use of support services available via EAPs and maximising their effectiveness can reduce mental distress and contribute to improved mental health outcomes.
With COVID-19 contributing to greater mental distress, exploring issues and evidence for EAPs is one way SIRA is helping workplaces boost mental health at work as part of the NSW Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy.
So, what did SIRA do?
SIRA commissioned the Social Research Centre to look into the use of EAPs in Australia and uncover opportunities to maximise their effectiveness.
The Social Research Centre reviewed Australian literature on EAP services and undertook qualitative interviews with employees and industry stakeholders to better understand the experience of EAPs.
What were the findings?
The research noted the value of EAPs in the workplace, and identifyed key opportunities to improve the service including:
- Creating greater awareness of EAPs and the range of services offered to employees
- Improving accessibility of EAPs to make it easier and reduce barriers to seek help
- Integrating EAP services and data into organisational safety systems so that any workplace factors contributing to poor mental health can be targeted upstream
- Mobilising conversations and community groups to enhance the delivery of EAPs
- Educating employers on the problems associated with poor workplace mental health and how EAPs can be beneficial
- Designing best fit, evidence-based EAPs that are tailored to and evolve with changes in the workplace.