Unlocking Potential: The Transformative Power of an Effective EAP

Never before has mental health been more central to business operations than it is now. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are a great tool to ensure your employees are supported to bring their best selves into work. But the vast majority of EAPs don’t work. They are underutilised, not fit for purpose, and often do not provide the assistance many employees need. This is costly to your business when these services backfire. Why do most EAPs fail and what needs to be done? I will explain the pitfalls of a poorly structured EAP and why most traditional EAPs miss the mark, and I will guide you to think differently about how to actually meet the psychological needs of the people in your business to not just cope with their problems but thrive in their role.

1. EAP shortfalls: A mis-matched approach and efficacy challenges
2. Crisis reliance: Late EAP utilization and exacerbation of mental health issues
3. Comprehensive EAP model: Integration of effective psychology interventions
4. Long-term impact: Transitioning from suffering to thriving with lasting benefits.

Key Learnings

1. The Importance of Customisation and Personalization in EAPs:
   Attendees will understand that one-size-fits-all approaches to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are ineffective at addressing the diverse mental health needs of their workforce. They will learn the value of customising and personalising EAP services to match the specific challenges and preferences of their employees. This customisation not only enhances the utilisation of EAPs but also significantly improves their effectiveness in supporting mental health at work. By implementing more personalised EAPs, businesses can see a marked improvement in employee engagement, productivity, and overall workplace morale. Customised programs are more likely to be utilised by employees, leading to better mental health outcomes and, consequently, a more resilient and thriving workforce.
2. Strategies for Increasing EAP Utilisation through Awareness and Reduced Stigma:
   Participants will gain insights into the critical barriers that prevent employees from utilising EAP services, including lack of awareness and mental health stigma. They will learn practical strategies for improving awareness of EAP benefits and services and for creating a workplace culture that reduces the stigma associated with seeking mental health support.
3. The Business Case for Effective EAPs: Understanding the ROI:
   Understanding the ROI of effective EAPs enables business leaders to make a compelling case for investing in enhanced mental health support services. This insight not only justifies the investment in more sophisticated EAPs but also aligns mental health initiatives with business goals, transforming the approach to employee wellness from a cost center to a strategic asset.

About Rajna

Rajna is an internationally recognised Clinical and Organisational Psychologist with over twelve years of experience in both frontline and corporate mental health sectors. Her career is distinguished by her work with war crime victims and witnesses from various United Nations Criminal Tribunals, as well as her time in Bosnia, where she helped those affected by war to heal and rebuild. In Melbourne, she served as a police psychologist and as a senior psychologist within the Melbourne Fire Service, showcasing her ability to navigate and lead in high-stress environments and support those in critical roles. Additionally, her role as a criminology lecturer has allowed her to impart her extensive knowledge to the next generation of professionals.

Upon returning to New Zealand five years ago, Rajna founded First Response Health, after seeing a gap for specialist mental health services in the corporate sector in New Zealand. Drawing on her frontline experience, her team of psychologists and her now apply their skills to support the corporate workforce, focusing on bringing specialist mental health services to individuals, teams and whole organisations to foster sustainable and long lasting flourishing.

Rajna describes herself as a businesswoman and entrepreneur first and foremost, and is driven by a deep passion to be the change she wants to see in the mental health industry.