Moving Beyond EAPs: Why Mental Health Support Services are the Better Option

In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, employee wellbeing and mental health have become critical considerations for organisations. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have long been the go-to solution for providing support to employees facing personal and work-related challenges. But there are certain challenges associated with EAPs that limit their effectiveness in addressing the diverse mental health needs of employees.

In this blog post, we will explore what EAPs are, consider their shortcomings, and highlight the advantages of mental health support services. We’ll also outline some of the steps you can take to seamlessly transition from traditional EAP support to proactive workplace mental health support.

What is an EAP?

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a workplace benefit that provides employees with resources and support. They help manage personal and work-related issues that may impact their wellbeing and job performance. EAPs are typically offered by employers as a quick fix way to support their employees' mental health, emotional wellbeing, and overall life satisfaction.

The primary goal of an EAP is to help employees navigate and resolve challenges they may experience in their personal lives or affect their work performance. EAPs are designed to provide confidential and timely support to employees, addressing a wide range of issues that can impact their overall functioning and quality of life.

EAP services can include various forms of support, such as short-term counselling, referrals to external resources, educational workshops, and wellness programs. These services are typically provided by trained professionals, such as counsellors, psychologists, social workers, or other mental health practitioners.

The scope of EAP services can vary depending on the specific program and the needs of the organisation. Some common areas that EAPs address include stress management, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, grief and loss, financial concerns, and work-related challenges.

One of the key features of an EAP is confidentiality. Employees can seek support without fear of their personal information being shared with their employer. This confidentiality allows individuals to feel more comfortable and secure in accessing the help they need.

Employers may choose to partner with external EAP providers who specialise in delivering these services. These providers typically have a network of qualified professionals who can deliver counselling or refer employees to specialised services based on their individual needs.

EAPs are often offered as part of an employer's comprehensive benefits package, highlighting the organisation's commitment to employee wellbeing. By providing EAP services, employers have historically felt that they are able to demonstrate compliance with relevant health and safety and employee duty of care legislation. Some even believe it demonstrates their understanding of the importance of supporting their employees' mental health and recognising the impact it has on their overall performance and satisfaction. But is this really the case?

It's important to understand that while EAPs can offer valuable support, they may have limitations. Some employees may be hesitant to access EAP services due to the perceived stigma or lack of awareness. And EAPs often provide short-term counselling and support, which may not be sufficient for individuals with ongoing or complex mental health needs.

Understanding EAPs and their limitations

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are designed to help employees with personal and work-related problems that may impact their physical health, mental wellbeing, or job performance. As we’ve discussed, they typically offer short-term, confidential counselling services and various wellness initiatives. While EAPs serve a purpose, many companies find that these services are underutilised and fail to deliver against their intended goals effectively.

In today's rapidly evolving work landscape, it has become increasingly evident that mental health support services offer distinct advantages over traditional EAPs. Let's delve deeper into why mental health support services are the better option for fostering employee wellbeing and organisational success:

• Comprehensive and Proactive Approach: Unlike EAPs, which often focus on reactive measures, mental health support services take a holistic and proactive approach to employee wellbeing. They go beyond mere crisis intervention by providing a wide range of resources, tools, and programs that empower employees to actively engage in their mental health and personal growth. These services offer a comprehensive support system that addresses preventive care, mental health education, self-care practices, and ongoing development.
  
  
• Accessibility and Timely Support: Mental health support services, like Plumm, recognise the need for immediate and accessible support. With 24/7 availability, employees can seek support whenever they need it, without having to wait for appointments or follow restrictive schedules. This accessibility ensures that employees can receive immediate intervention and support, promoting early intervention and preventing issues from escalating.
  
  
• Customised and Tailored Support: Every individual's mental health journey is unique, and we all move along the mental health continuum as we go through our lives. Mental health support services acknowledge this diversity. They offer a wide range of therapeutic modalities, such as counselling, psychotherapy, coaching, and specialised self-care programs, allowing employees to access the specific support they need. And these services prioritise cultural sensitivity and inclusivity by providing therapists and coaches who understand diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This ensures that employees feel understood and supported. 

• Focus on Long-Term Wellbeing: Mental health support services prioritise the long-term wellbeing of employees. They offer continuous support, helping individuals address underlying issues, develop effective coping strategies, and cultivate resilience. By fostering personal growth and providing resources for ongoing wellbeing, these services contribute to the overall mental health and satisfaction of employees, leading to higher levels of engagement and productivity in the workplace.
  
  
• Data-Driven Insights and Analytics: Unlike EAPs, which may provide limited data on usage and outcomes, mental health support services often offer comprehensive analytics and reporting. This data-driven approach allows organisations to gain valuable insights into the wellbeing trends within their workforce, identify areas of concern, and tailor their strategies accordingly. By leveraging this information, organisations can make informed decisions and implement targeted interventions to enhance employee wellbeing and mental health support.

More About Plumm: A Holistic Employee Mental Wellbeing Solution

Plumm recognises the need for a more comprehensive approach to mental health support in the workplace. Let's explore the advantages that make Plumm the better choice.

• Proactive Engagement: Plumm actively engages employees in their mental health and wellbeing journey. Through email and in-app engagement, Plumm encourages employees to utilise self-care resources and take proactive steps toward personal growth. Unlike EAPs, which often rely solely on helplines, Plumm fosters a culture of continuous support and encourages employees to seek help whenever they need it.
  
  
• 24/7 Always-On Support: With Plumm's virtual companion, EMMA, employees have access to support anytime, anywhere. Video coaches and therapists are available to address concerns quickly. In contrast, EAPs may have slow response times, and employees often have to wait weeks to connect with a counsellor.
  
  
• Unlimited Support and Personal Growth: Plumm offers employees unlimited access to proactive self-care resources, including guided meditations, soundscapes, online courses, and live monthly workshops. Therapy sessions are tailored to individual needs and can be customised to fit your budget. In contrast, EAPs typically limit support to a specific number of counselling sessions, usually provided by counsellors rather than trained therapists.
  
  
• Easy Accessibility: Plumm's services are designed to be easily accessible. Whether through the website, mobile app, or integration with platforms like Teams and Slack, employees can quickly connect with the support they need. EAPs, on the other hand, often rely solely on a web portal or limited mobile apps for access.
  
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Support: Plumm takes pride in its diverse pool of therapists, coaches, and counsellors. With over 150 professionals from various backgrounds and specialties, Plumm ensures that every employee receives personalised support from someone who understands their unique challenges and cultural context. And Plumm offers services in over 30 different languages, catering to a global workforce. In contrast, EAPs generally offer support only in English and often limit this to counselling services.
  
  
• Personalised Approach and Variety of Services: Plumm recognises that mental health support is not one-size-fits-all. In addition to video therapy and chat sessions, Plumm provides a wide range of resources, including self-care services, online courses, guided meditations, and video coaching. This holistic approach allows employees to address their specific needs and preferences. EAPs, on the other hand, primarily focus on counselling services and may not offer the same breadth of resources.
  
  
• High Uptake and Dedicated Support: While traditional EAPs see low utilisation rates ranging from 1% to 5%, Plumm boasts an uptake rate of up to 75%. Plumm's dedicated Customer Success Manager (CSM) ensures a seamless experience, guiding organisations in implementing and promoting the services effectively. The CSM acts as an extension of the company's wellbeing team, offering support, communication assistance, and ongoing feedback.
  
  
• Comprehensive Reporting: Plumm provides real-time access to anonymised reports through the Plumm Dashboard. This allows organisations to monitor and analyse uptake, usage, and other essential metrics, eliminating the need to rely on quarterly reports from a CSM.

Helping you make the transition from EAP to mental health support

While transitioning from an EAP to mental health support services may raise some concerns, it is important to address these apprehensions and provide reassurance about the benefits and effectiveness of such a shift. Let's explore and address common concerns:

• Cost and ROI: One concern organisations may have is the cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) of implementing mental health support services. While EAPs typically operate on a fixed-cost model, mental health support services like Plumm offer flexible options that can be tailored to the specific needs and budget of the organisation. And the positive impact on employee wellbeing, engagement, and productivity resulting from comprehensive mental health support often outweighs the initial investment.
  
  
• Employee Adoption and Engagement: Organisations may worry about employee adoption and engagement with new mental health support services. To address this, it’s crucial to communicate the value and benefits of these services clearly. Highlight the accessibility, personalised nature, and ongoing resources available through mental health support services. Promote awareness and provide training to ensure employees understand how to access and utilise the services effectively.
  
  
• Integration and Implementation: Integrating mental health support services into existing HR frameworks and systems may seem like a complex process. However, reputable service providers like Plumm offer seamless integration options, with dedicated support teams to help organisations throughout the implementation process. Integrations are available with Teams, Slack and Okta. These services can align with the organisation's existing wellbeing initiatives, ensuring a smooth transition and optimal utilisation.
  
  
• Confidentiality and Privacy: Confidentiality and privacy are paramount in mental health support services. Reputable providers prioritise data security and adhere to strict privacy standards, ensuring that employee information remains confidential. Communicate these security measures to employees to alleviate concerns and emphasise the commitment to maintaining their privacy throughout the support process.
  
  
• Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity: Organisations with diverse workforces may be concerned about cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in mental health support services. Reputable providers, like Plumm, prioritise diversity and inclusion by offering therapists and coaches from various cultural backgrounds. This ensures that employees can access support from professionals who understand their unique challenges and cultural contexts.

By addressing these concerns and providing clear explanations, organisations can instil confidence in the decision to transition from an EAP to mental health support services. The benefits of improved employee wellbeing, increased engagement, and overall organisational success far outweigh any initial hesitations.

Conclusion

Mental health support is a crucial aspect of any successful workplace, and Plumm offers a superior alternative to traditional EAPs. With its proactive engagement, always-on support, unlimited resources, accessibility, diversity, and personalised approach, Plumm empowers employees to prioritise their mental wellbeing and reach their full potential. By choosing Plumm, organisations can foster a culture of mental health support that promotes productivity, engagement, and overall employee satisfaction.

Find out for yourself how Plumm is powering business growth one mind at a time, book a free demo now!