The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helps you privately solve problems that may interfere with your work, family, and life in general. EAP services are FREE to you, your dependents, and all household members. EAP services are confidential and provided by experts.
GuidanceResources provides EAP services 24/7 to all employees, State Plan members, their dependents and household members.
 |
|
|
Note: You must contact GuidanceResources for approval before scheduling an appointment with a counselor to ensure your first six visits are covered under the EAP benefit. Dependent or household member will need to provide the first and last name of the employee/State Plan member who provided you with the GuidanceResources contact information. The online chat function is available Monday- Friday 7:00am – 5:00pm MST. |
|
Employee Assistance Program Services
Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. It doesn’t have to. GuidanceResources provides confidential counseling, expert guidance and valuable resources to help you handle any of life’s challenges, big or small. Learn how the Employee Assistance Program can support you and your household by reviewing this informative flyer.
-
Anxiety, depression, stress
-
Grief, loss and life adjustments
-
Relationship/marital conflicts
-
Finding child and elder care
-
Hiring movers or home repair contractors
-
Planning events, locating pet care
-
Retirement planning, taxes
-
Relocation, mortgages, insurance
-
Identity theft support
-
Budgeting, debt, bankruptcy and more
-
Divorce, adoption and family law
-
Real estate, foreclosure, landlord/tenant issues
-
Free consultation and discounted local representation
-
Quickly and easily complete a will on your computer with EstateGuidance
-
Specify guardians, trustees and property division
-
Provide funeral and burial instructions
-
Self-care platform offers guided health programs
-
Tackle anxiety, depression, stress
-
Improve mindfulness, sleep, and more
-
Online Tips and Tricks: Once you are have registered and signed into your account, there are several ways to get connected with services. The chat function is available Monday- Friday 7:00 – 5:00 MST and is a great way to request an answer.
Free Webinars and Training
Watch this GuidanceResouces Orientation on-demand presentation about EAP services.
Scheduled Trainings - All Session Times are 12:00-1:00 p.m. MST
- December 8: Winter Blues, Isolation, & Strategies to Improve Resilience (10 – 11 a.m. – Kody Ramler, LCSW)
- December 17: Responding to Distressed Customers
Huddles
On Demand Training Opportunities
Training sessions are available on-demand, simply click the link below to start learning.
-
Mental Health Safety Plan: Safety Plan & Instructions
-
Suicide Awareness Presentation (contact eap@mt.gov for closed captioning or alternate formats)
Managers' Corner
The EAP provides no-cost specialized resources and trainings to help supervisors support their employees.
Management-Focused Training Courses - All Session Times are 12:00-1:00 p.m. MST
- December 4: Effective Communication
- December 9: Motivating Change in Others
- December 10: Coaching vs. Directing: A Guide for Leaders
- December 11: Initiating Difficult Conversations
- December 16: Building Trust
On-Demand Trainings
-
Brining Out the Best in Others - on-demand presentation
-
For Managers: Your Employee Assistance Program - services overview flyer
-
Critical Incident Support – request for an on-site counselor for your team
-
Leading with Authenticity - on-demand presentation
-
Manager Orientation - on-demand presentation
-
Managing Remote (or hybrid) Employees - on-demand presentation
-
Managing Staff Through Stressful Situations - on-demand presentation
- Psychological Safety in the Workplace - on-demand presentation
-
GuidanceResouces Training Catalog - Choose from a list of workshops to provide behavioral health or professional training to your group. All trainings must be coordinated through the EAP Program Manager, Ann Brewer, at eap@mt.gov.
Manager Support
Stress-Free Family Holidays
The holiday season can be a time of fun and connection with family and friends, but for many people, this time of year brings an increased sense of loneliness and isolation. Whether in a crowd or home alone, loneliness is painful. According to a study from NAMI, 64% of people with mental illness report that holidays make their conditions worse. (NAMI.org, December, 21, 2021)
Daylight savings time in the spring helps to create a way to save energy and get more out of our natural daylight. With Montana being high above the equator, this little bit of extra daylight does little to stave off the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD, also known as winter blues, hits the northern states hardest. As we move further into the winter months, the days get shorter which results in lower levels of sunlight. Symptoms of seasonal depression include:
- A lack of pleasure or interest in normal, everyday activities
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling a lack of energy, it’s hard to get out of bed
- Easily irritated
- Feeling despair, guilt, or worthlessness
Feeling down some days is normal, but if you are feeling down for several days, it’s time to discuss your feelings with your health care provider.
Below are free resources for extra support and connection this season and all year round:
- Peer-to-Peer Anxiety and Depression Support Group – Anonymous online support group that is safe and supportive for people to connect with others who are experiencing anxiety and/or depression (no cost to participate).
- Nine Keys to a Resilient Holiday
- Mental Health and Holiday Blues
- How to Deal with Negative Holiday Emotions
- Holiday Resource Guide from Guidance Resources
- Hope for the Holidays Mental Health America