April 25, 2003

Overcoming grief: the EAP offers employees confidential counseling

In recent weeks, the MGH community has been directly affected by tragic and unprecedented events. In times of crisis and pain, MGHers can look to internal resources such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide comfort and counseling.

The EAP is a workplace-based consultation, short-term counseling, information and referral program for employees and their families. The services provided are free, confidential and voluntary.

"Our job is to respond to any workplace crisis that may arise,"says Andrea Stidsen, director of the Partners Employee Assistance Program at the MGH. "We are a consistent resource. We help an individual or group of individuals overcome grief, loss and anger during times of crisis."

The EAP is comprised of licensed professionals with graduate-level training in a variety of mental health disciplines and expertise in issues specific to the workplace — such as critical incident stress management, work issues, anxiety and depression, domestic violence, substance abuse, financial and legal issues — as well as many more issues that an employee may be coping with personally or professionally.

The EAP offers workgroup and departmental counseling when crises affect the workplace. After first assessing the incident and its "circle of impact," specially trained EAP consultants meet with staff on a voluntary basis to lead a post-incident discussion aimed at helping workgroups recover. This process offers employees the opportunity to talk together about their reactions and to lend moral support to each other, providing a measure of healing for individuals and groups.

In recent weeks, the EAP staff have noticed an increase in employees seeking help. "There is definitely a sense of sadness and increased vulnerability among many staff," says Stidsen, "and we are trained for that — to help people cope with their sadness and grief and find their inner strength."

For more information about the EAP or to set up a confidential appointment, call (617) 726-5941.