Macquarie’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is something I’ve been vaguely aware of, but never actually used in my seven years at the University. But with two young children at home, a long commute and a deadline-driven job-share role, my working days can get a little stressful and I’m keen to find ways to bring some more calm to my working days.

Our EAP service is provided by Benestar and I’m told their online resources hub is well worth checking out. I also discover that as a Macquarie employee, my immediate family and I are eligible for six free sessions of confidential personal coaching, which can be face-to-face, over the phone or via online chat.

Benestar offers support and services for a whole range of issues – and not just work-related. They can help with financial advice, personal and work relationships, anxiety and depression and coping with organisational change among many other issues.

VENTURING INTO THE HUB

I start by heading to BeneHub – an ‘always on’ online portal of resources and contact details for personal support. Setting up an account is easy (use the Macquarie ID ‘MAQ’ and token ‘MAQ01’ to login initially) and the site is easy to navigate.

Articles

I’m surprised by the number of quality articles, which are conveniently grouped by topics such as ‘Relationships’, ‘Work’ and ‘Money’.  I search for articles on working more efficiently and find some good ones, including ‘Six productive ways to start your day’ (though I’m not entirely keen on tip #5 – starting the day with a cold shower!).

Learning modules

There are many learning modules to choose from. I select ‘Wheel of Life’, which is all about identifying and prioritising the areas and activities in your life that are meaningful and fulfilling to you. I’m not usually a fan of goal-setting activities, but I find this module surprisingly enjoyable and useful.

Self-assessments

After my usual Monday-morning-with-two-children chaos, I decide to do the stress test. I’m feeling a little frazzled, so it’s no surprise I end up with a ‘Mild level of stress’. I’m encouraged to contact a coach if I’m concerned about my stress levels and there’s a useful link to a 10-minute calming meditation.

CONTACTING A COACH

Live Chat

The easiest and most discreet way to contact Benestar’s coaches is online via Live Chat, email or their online messenger service.

I go for Live Chat and shoot out a message asking for some advice about dealing with my Monday morning chaos. Within a few minutes a coach responds with a range of tips – some of which I’ve already tried, but it’s good to be reminded of. I get some great advice for dealing with toddler tantrums, and regulating my internal voice to keep small annoyances in perspective.

After 10 minutes of conversation, I’m feeling more positive and strangely enough my live chat has felt a lot like chatting with a friend.

Telephone and face-to-face counselling

You can also ring Benestar on 1300 360 364 to speak to a coach on the phone, or to arrange face-to-face counselling sessions with qualified social workers and psychologists in one of many Sydney locations. The closest location to the Macquarie campus is at 123 Epping Road, where both male and female psychologists and social workers are available.

THE VERDICT

All in all, I’m impressed with the range of resources available on the Benestar hub, and how easy it is to get a conversation going with a qualified support person. Given the cost of professional counselling, it’s fantastic that Macquarie staff can access these kinds of services for free.

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Find out more about using Macquarie’s Employee Assistance Program

With this in mind, we asked Victor Halim, Sydney Clinical Manager at Davidson Trahaire Corpsych (DTC) – Macquarie’s new Employee Assistance Program partner – to tell us more about the support services available to staff.

People often think of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as just counselling for work issues. But through the EAP, Macquarie staff have access to support and coaching on a huge range of areas including relationships, work/life balance, vocational goals, managing change, family, stress, anxiety, depression, nutrition, sleep, physical wellbeing, grief and loss, legal, financial, drug and alcohol addictions, interpersonal conflict and more.

DTC has been providing Employee Assistance Programs and services for trauma support for almost 30 years to a range of organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Our qualified and experienced professionals have extensive training in counselling, coaching and workplace consulting and demonstrate the utmost care as we support and coach people through the joys, challenges and tragedies that mark our work/life journey.

Counselling can be delivered via different modes, including face to face, phone, LiveChat, email and video conferencing. DTC also has convenient locations for face-to-face appointments with an office located on Epping Road near Macquarie University.

For managers and team leaders, DTC also offers managerAssist^®, providing a senior consultant to discuss strategies, options and approaches to help their employees to thrive and perform.

Accessing the EAP

Visit the University’s Employee Assistance Program page to find out how to make an initial appointment. During the initial contact you will be asked a series of questions to help us link you with the most appropriate counsellor.

When you attend your first appointment the counsellor will discuss the parameters of the service, including confidentiality and number of sessions, to ensure that you are comfortable with the service whilst also working with you to develop plans and goals to manage issues and challenges in a constructive way.

EAP consultations are free, confidential and voluntary. DTC does not share information about you with anyone unless authorised to do so by you in writing, or if required by law.

I encourage you to come and meet us at the Wellbeing Week launch to find out more about our EAP program and other support.

Register for the Wellbeing Week launch event (it includes a free healthy lunch!)

Wellbeing Week also features information seminars on mental health, resilience through times of change, and emotional health in the workplace. Visit the Wellbeing Week program for more information.