While many will be celebrating in the days and weeks ahead, the Canadian Mental Health Association reports that 52 per cent of Canadians deal with feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation during the holidays. There are a number of reasons: it can be difficult to meet people’s expectations for the season, easy to over-indulge, and, whether you have family or loved ones around or not, many people experience intense loneliness. 

“Everyone experiences things differently,” notes Vicky Catchuk, the Coordinator of the Wellness and Provincial Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 3sHealth. “My emotional response to the expectations of the holidays will be completely different from yours. The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) ensures that there are a number of ways to help health system workers prepare for and deal everything that they will face at this special time of year.”

All employees with 3sHealth-participating employers and their family members can utilize the resources offered. This includes professional counselling services, legal support, financial support, and health and nutrition services, at no cost to them. 

You can learn more about EFAP services through the 3sHealth web site. Services can be accessed in a number of ways, including:

• By calling the LifeWorks Care Access Centre toll-free at 1.844.336.3136 anytime
• By visiting workhealthlife.com
• By downloading the MyEAP app

Catchuk stresses that all EFAP services are anonymous, with EFAP Care Access Representatives and Clinicians observing numerous safeguards to ensure that employees who utilize its services in person or online can do so with confidence their privacy will be assured.