September 10, 2004

MGH Employee Assistance Program makes a move

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will be moving Sept. 15 to a new location at 175 Cambridge St., Charles River Plaza, suite 320, from their current location at the Vincent Burnham Kennedy Building. The new location is only steps away from the main campus and will allow the EAP to continue to provide its vital, responsive and high-quality services to all employees.

Thousands of MGH employees and their families have benefited from EAP services over the years. The EAP is a prevention and early intervention resource, offering confidential consultation, short-term counseling, information and referrals for employees and their families. As a part of the MGH's benefits program, EAP services are offered at no cost.

The EAP offers assistance for all types of personal, family or work-related problems, such as helping to balance work and family life; coping with parenting or marital concerns; addressing work or relationship issues; developing plans of support for domestic violence situations; handling financial or legal difficulties; managing emotional distress, illness or loss; and determining whether referrals are needed for mental health or substance abuse concerns. If ongoing or specialized help is needed, EAP counselors identify appropriate and qualified providers and resources specific to the employee's need.

A variety of educational programs are offered by the EAP to assist employees and supervisors with preventing or addressing problems in the workplace. This fall the EAP is introducing several new information and support programs for employees. All of the EAP consultants are licensed professionals with special training in a variety of mental health disciplines and expertise in issues specific to the workplace.

"Our mission is to promote a healthy work environment for all MGH employees by helping them with any stressful life situations or needed resources," says Andrea Stidsen, LICSW, CEAP, director of the Partners EAP. "We are committed to continuing the same level of services at our new location. During our move, we will be available for emergencies, and appointments can be made in our other locations. Also, we will continue to offer some limited appointment availability on the MGH main campus after our move."

For more information about the EAP, visit www.eap.partners.org or call (617) 726-6976; or toll-free at 1-866-724-4EAP, Monday through Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm.