Often, the longer an issue remains unresolved, the more aspects of your life are affected by it. Early help with a minor issue may prevent its development into a major one. These issues may include:

• Conflict with others
• Coping with change
• Relationships
• Marital and family problems
• Children and adolescents' mental health
• Anxiety, stress and depression
• Alcohol and substance misuse
• Grief and loss
• Crisis or trauma response
• Coaching for managers and supervisors

• Employees and approved University affiliates
• Eligible family members consist of: Partners or children under the age of 25 living under the same roof
• Access to the program extends up to three months after cessation of employment at UWA.

You can expect a high-quality professional service from senior counsellors and registered psychologists with a broad range of EAP counselling experience and expertise in clinical therapeutic methods.

The EAP operates with a four-stage process:

• Understanding the problem
• Identifying options
• Developing an agreed action plan
• Skills development and application

Counselling services can be provided by phone, Skype or face-to-face.

Appointments can be made via phone, email or online.

Any eligible person can contact the service provider directly to arrange an appointment without the need for a referral.

Managers, family members or colleagues can suggest a referral to EAP (in confidence) where they become aware of situations developing that EAP could assist with. Although a referral can be suggested, participation in EAP is entirely voluntary.

EAP services are available during and after work hours dependent on the provider and location.

Arrangements for time off during working hours to attend sessions will be the same as those which exists between supervisors and employees for any other form of time off work. This may include an application for short leave or sick leave with the provision of the usual certificate requirements where necessary.

The University expects that supervisors would be supportive of employees wishing to use the EAP and, where practicable, provide flexibility for the employee to attend during work time.

Be assured that if you use the EAP, discussions with the service provider will remain confidential, although there are a few exceptions to this and they will be explained in the consultation.

Employees may decide that it will assist them if their supervisor is informed about their situation and how it is affecting their work. In such cases the employee must give written permission to the service provider for a specified person to be contacted.

The University receives quarterly reports from EAP providers on general organisational issues and statistics on service uptake. No personal or identifying information is provided.

The EAP is designed to provide short-term, solutions-focused assistance. If it is identified that longer-term counselling or specialist assistance is required, you may be referred to an appropriate specialist. The service provider may, upon referral to the specialist provider, liaise with them and continue to act as point of contact for the specialist provider. The University does not meet the cost for such additional specialist services.

Alternatively, if you have used your six EAP sessions and wish to continue seeing your EAP counsellor it will be at your cost, although your EAP balance will be replenished 12 months after the date of your first EAP session. You may also wish to speak with your general practitioner in regards to long-term strategies or a GP mental health treatment plan.

There is a triage process when booking EAP appointments to ensure clients receive the appropriate level of support. You will be asked some questions to better understand the urgency of your situation.

These are categorised as:

• Crisis: Where your symptoms are unmanageable, the situation is dire or critical and/or there is potential for harm to self or others. In this situation you will be transferred immediately to a psychologist. Emergency services may also become involved if there is significant and immediate risk to the self or others.
• Urgent: the situation is understood to be urgent but could be managed independently for up to 24 hours. An appointment will booked for the same day or within 24 hours (dependent on time of day). The majority of these appointments are provided via telephone. Reception will advise of the earliest available appointments, on average this is 2-3 hours in metro locations.

The on-call psychologist will respond to all out of hours calls (6pm-8am AWST) and will speak to clients immediately. This phone call is around containing your immediate situation/symptoms before organising an initial EAP counselling session at the earliest available opportunity. If the situation requires escalation the on call psychologist will refer you to the appropriate service.

Financial counselling with a Financial Consultant and Nutrition Support with a registered Nutritionist or Dietician is available. Please call PeopleSense for further information.

PeopleSense Manager Assistance Program

Managers at times can face complex situations and demands that affect their ability to manage their employees effectively. This service is designed to support managers in proactively addressing employee issues and to enhance their management and leadership skills. This service can be delivered by phone or in person at a PeopleSense office.

Manager assistance includes the following themes:

• Supporting vulnerable and distressed employees
• Bullying and harassment issues
• Managing team conflict
• Organisational change
• Performance management issues
• Fitness for work issues
• Assertiveness for managers
• Manager coaching (supervision and mentoring)

All employees who act in a supervisory role can access the Manager Assistance Program without this affecting their entitlement for EAP counselling.

Workplace consulting

UWA can deliver workplace training and development services including stress management, resiliency, leadership and change management which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an area

You can review the Staff Intranet calendar to see the list of upcoming events and workshops, or contact staffwellbeing@uwa.edu.au to discuss an area specific workshop or service.

Trauma or critical incident

The manager or supervisor should be aware of the possible emotional impact of a work-related trauma or critical incident and referral options available to employees.

Safety, Health and Wellbeing typically arrange onsite counselling support in consultation with the UWA Critical Incident Management Team following a critical incident. Refer to the Critical Incident Counselling Procedure.

PeopleSense online resource centre

PeopleSense provides a high-quality, web-based platform which includes an online resource centre. UWA employees and clients can access information on the common presenting problems including stress, depression, anxiety and relationship issues.

These articles have been written by PeopleSense's clinical psychologists and are based on the latest scientific evidence.