email page to a friendHow to Choose an EAP Provider
Types of Full Service Mental Health EAP Programs:
There are two basic types of full service programs Source Line provides to our corporate clients.
- Full Service Model (presented below); and
- Full Service Model With On-Site
Often the capped model is misleadingly offered as a “full” service in the industry.
You should always ask what the full service model being offered doesn’t cover. If there are lots of "extras" then it really isn't a full service program.
Full Service Mental Health EAP Program Model
The following features are what full service programs should offer:
- No limit on the number of sessions available.
- No limit on the number of employees able to access the program.
- A designated consultant counsellor available for counselling, program design, support, implementation and consultation.
- Emphasis on pro-active prevention programming and resourcing that can include monthly news bulletins or updates, educational workshops and seminars, manager & supervisor people skill training.
- Trauma response service for on-site work accidents or stress situations and attendance to families in crisis and/or trauma situations.
- Counsellor available to meet regularly with company and/or Mental Health/EAP Steering Committee to monitor and shape the on-going evolution of the wellness program.
- Psychiatric assessment and consultation included in service.
- Referral and follow-up to services such as Addiction Services, Elder Care Services, Legal Services etc.
Con
- This program is more expensive because of no limits on the number of people using the program or for how long.
- The costing formula is based on number of dollars per each employee per year
- This type of service involves more commitment from the organization to promote the wellness service and the prevention programs.
- The organization doesn't know which employees are using the program.
- The organization receives only non-identifying statistical data.
- The organization has to trust the service provider.
Pro
- Total costs of the program are known up front for the year.
- Employees can access the service directly and for as long as they like.
- The Consultant Counsellor can offer organizational consultations to the company and its employees.
- The higher profile of the service means more employee utilization and therefore potentially more preventative interventions.
- As the service matures a corporate culture is created which takes away the stigma surrounding mental health counselling, and instead encourages people to seek help when they need it.
- Supervisory, union and organization consultations are more readily requested.
- This type of service allows for the potential establishment of a wellness committee with representation and ownership from all levels of the organization.