Employee assistance programs (EAPs) and wellness programs can be useful tools in helping your workforce stay on track during uncertain and anxious times.EAPs are typically part of a company’s health insurance plan and administered by the HR department. Their services include short-term individual counseling, written materials on health- or wellness-related topics, and in some cases forums for employees to discuss issues affecting their well-being. Wellness programs, on the other hand, are typically volunteer organizations, sometimes supported financially by the company. Broadly defined, their focus is on health education and promotion, including such activities as educational forums, exercise programs and lectures. Both EAPs and wellness programs have been important in helping employees cope with the uncertain climate after Sept. 11, says Thomas Guck, psychologist and director of behavioral sciences at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Neb.“The thing that’s important and unique about the 9/11 issue is that it’s ongoing; it’s not a finite thing where you’re dealing with a flood and the problem’s over and done with and people get on with their lives,” says Guck. “EAPs and wellness programs can be helpful by [making participants] aware of how these things are evolving and finding the right balance between helping employees be vigilant about the issues and getting on with their lives.” Executives play an important role in ensuring that their employees know about these resources, Guck says. “And they can help make sure that no stigma is attached. That can be really important.”Coping at CignaAndrea Anania, executive vice president and CIO of Cigna, a $19 billion insurance company based in Philadelphia, says EAP-style mental health counseling has been critical in helping her employees cope in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Cigna has a business division that provides employee assistance programs to its subscribing companies. The services are provided free of charge to Cigna employees, and the company has been making sure the services have been used in the past few months. “We’ve had seminars made available to everyone on the premises, and we’ve had training sessions with managers to help identify people who may be struggling and to encourage them to attend the counseling sessions,” says Anania. “We’ve definitely seen an increase in the number of people drawing on these services.” Related content opinion The Importance of Identity Management in Security By Charles Pelton Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cybercrime Artificial Intelligence Data Management brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software Why data virtualization is critical for business success Data is your most valuable resource—but only if you can access it fast enough to address present challenges. Data virtualization is the key. By Milan Shetti, CEO of Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software The hybrid approach: Get the best of both mainframe and cloud Cloud computing and modernization often go hand in hand, but that doesn’t mean the mainframe should be left behind. A hybrid approach offers the most value, enabling businesses to get the best of both worlds. By Milan Shetti, CEO Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rimini Street Dear Oracle Cloud…I need my own space Access results from a recent Rimini Street survey about why enterprises are rethinking their Oracle relationship and cloud strategy. By Tanya O'Hara Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cloud Computing Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe