Free confidential help for stress and mental health issues
National Mental Health Week (from May 6th to 12th) is a time for people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. Mental health issues will affect one in five Canadians at some point in their life time, and are a leading cause of absenteeism and disability in the workplace. The good news is that there is more help and resources available than ever before.
Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
The VCH EFAP provides a range of services. The most commonly accessed service is our face-to-face counselling. We also offer counseling over the phone and video with our website providing a number of virtual wellness resources as well.
Our specialized on-line treatment programs for people experiencing mild to moderate depression and anxiety include:
– Beating the Blues (BTB) is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, this program has a proven track record of helping people to get and stay better.
– Life Hub is an internet-based program focusing on both the professional and personal needs of VCH employees and their families. It provides support to enable the employee and their families to seek expert guidance, support and development 24 hours a day.
EFAP is an off-site, confidential, voluntary, short-term counselling service typically offered to all eligible employees and family members of Vancouver Coastal Health. For more information about eligibility, please contact the EFAP for more information.
Stress associated with mental health issues
If you or someone else at work is struggling with the effects of stress, free and confidential help is available through the VCH Employee & Family Assistance Program. Call toll free 1.800.505.4929 or visit www.efap.ca.
Here are some commonly held myths about stress. Know the facts:
Myth: People who feel stress are nervous to start with.
Fact: Everyone can feel stress, not just those who are nervous.
Myth: Prolonged physical exercise will weaken your resistance to stress.
Fact: Physical exercise will actually increase your resistance to stress.
Myth: Stress can be controlled with medication.
Fact: There is no medication that can control stress, only medication that can temporarily relieve some of the symptoms caused by stress.
Myth: Stress can be eliminated.
Fact: You can improve your response to stress but you can never eliminate stress.
Myth: Stress can cause unpleasant problems, but at least it can’t kill you.
Fact: Stress can weaken your system and lead to medical problems that can kill you.
Myth: Stress is always bad.
Fact: Stress can be exciting (think about the anticipation waiting for something fun like a trip or roller coaster ride). It is not always bad.
Myth: Stress is only in the mind; it’s not physical.
Fact: Stress is both mental and physical.
Myth: There’s nothing you can do about stress without making drastic changes in your life style.
Fact: You can make small changes that make a big difference.
Myth: Work-related stress can be left at the office and not brought home by most people.
Fact: Work-related stress almost always seeps back into your home. And the health effects of feeling stressed at work do not go away when you leave the office.
Myth: You always know when you’re under stress.
Fact: People can be very good at ignoring daily stresses. Often we do not know we are under stress until we get headaches, stomach problems, or blow up with anger.