Charity boss encourages all charities to consider setting up an EAP for staff to help with mental health problems

Charity boss encourages all charities to consider setting up an EAP for staff to help with mental health problems

Here at EAPA, we are always on the lookout for examples of excellent practice in companies which offer EAPs to their staff.

One of the things we particularly like to see is companies who not only offer an EAP to their employees as part of their benefits package, but who proactively encourage them to use it – not as a ‘perk’, but as a key part of their wellbeing.

That’s why we were delighted to read of Julia’s House, a charity which runs children’s hospices in Wiltshire and Dorset, whose boss Martin Edwards has written about why he recommended setting up an EAP for staff on joining the charity as chief executive more than ten years ago.

Writing for the Third Sector, Martin explains how the charity’s EAP offers a confidential counselling and specialist information helpline for staff and their immediate families, available 24/7, 365 days of the year. “We set up an employee assistance programme, and every charity leader should consider doing so,” he writes.

EAPA chair, Eugene Farrell, says: “It was great to read Martin Edwards’ article outlining his own personal reasons for wanting Julia’s House to have its own EAP. In the article, Martin talks of his own anorexia in the past and goes on to talk very candidly and bravely about mental health and how no employer should want to risk tragedies amongst their staff by not doing all they can to provide access to mental health support in the workplace.

“It’s a strong endorsement to read for those of us who are passionate about EAP and the support it can give to millions of UK employees.

You can read the full article here.