Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Amy* is a teacher who was anxious due to staffing shortages at her school, which also led to unease in her personal life. Knowing that she wasn’t feeling like her normal self, she came to one of Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP) recent screening events. With the world seeming to move faster than ever, it is important for us all to reflect on our mental health. EAP has been hosting these screenings as mental health “check-ins” – including a Depression Screening, a Seasonal Stress Screening, and a Burnout Screening.
At her screening, Amy shared that it was hard for her to ask for help. She said that she was feeling stressed about work, the holidays were adding to her anxiety, and she felt like she was losing control. As she was sharing her story, she realized that she was becoming emotional. Amy said, “I know I am crying, but I already feel better just by talking about it.”
As Amy talked about her stressors and identified the sources, she was able to see potential solutions more clearly. She was able to explore times when she was not feeling overwhelmed and times in her past when she felt successful in managing stress.
Amy was so comforted by her time with her EAP Counselor that she scheduled a follow-up session. By talking through her concerns, she was able to take some steps to managing her responsibilities more successfully. The impact of these services will go beyond the individual – they reach into the classrooms, offices, and homes throughout the community.
If you are interested in learning more about the Employee Assistance Program for your organization, please visit eap.cfsbny.org.
*Name changed for confidentiality.