Research commissioned by the UK Employee Assistance Professionals Association confirms the effectiveness of counselling through EAPs. It shows firms who promote employee health and wellbeing will reduce levels of psychological distress in the workplace.
The UK EAPA study was undertaken in partnership with CORE IMS. It reviews the outcome of over 28,000 EAP counselling interventions in the UK. Findings indicate the success of EAPs when it comes to engaging with counselling clients. Then matching client problems with relevant and appropriate counsellors. In addition as offering speedy interventions that minimise the time employees are required to wait for professional support.
EAPS Findings
Key findings from the study, Benchmarking key service quality indicators in UK Employee Assistance Programme Counselling, are summarised here:
- Recovery and improvement rates: 70% of EAP clients are demonstrably shown to recover or improve following their counselling intervention.
- Access to EAP services: 92% of EAP clients were accepted for treatment in just 9 days (on average).
Clinical distress: 88% of counselling clients presenting to EAPs score above clinical cut-off level. That means they are similar to NHS out patients. Therefore it shows that EAPs are seeing and supporting clinical patients. - EAP treatment completion: 80% of EAP clients were estimated to have completed their counselling intervention.
Number of sessions attended: on average, EAP clients attended four treatment sessions. The breakdown shows 88% attending five sessions and 95% of clients attending six sessions. In comparison, 23% of patients receiving care in an NHS primary care setting attended four treatments or less.
EAPA comments
“The findings from our study is welcomed by EAP employers. They demonstrate that EAPs are getting employees back to work quickly and are therefore reducing the detrimental impact of mental health and employee psychological distress on the workplace,” says the chair of the UK Employee Assistance Professionals Association.
“EAP provision has trebled in the last decade. EAPs are an increasingly popular strategic tool for employers who want to invest in the health and wellbeing of their employees. And who recognise the importance of a healthy workforce in order to manage performance and drive productivity. This study confirms that organisations with a staff EAP have the very best opportunity to receive psychological help. Should they ever need it and are taking proactive steps to protect both their people and their bottom line,” he says.
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