For Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 we're sharing the experiences some of our staff have had using MacIntyre's Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
Employee Assistance Programme
"Employee Assistance Programme" - it sounds so dry and dull, doesn't it? You might wonder from the name what it even covers.
It's a lot more helpful and interesting than it might sound!
MacIntyre provides an EAP free of charge to all staff. It's a confidential way of gaining help and advice from independent experts for all kinds of worries that might keep us awake.
How does it work?
Staff can use the EAP telephone helpline or access the online hub. MacIntyre does not receive any personal information about the EAP services our employees use.
In addition to personal counselling, there's a comprehensive range of online resources, including self-help materials, podcasts, blogs, and valuable advice on managing your bills, money or debts. There's also a wellbeing hub which can provide a personalised dashboard and advice.
People's stories
MacIntyre has no way of knowing who has used the EAP: it's a bit difficult to know how it's going!
So we put out a call for people to tell us their experiences anonymously, and we're sharing some of those stories here.
One-on-one counselling
As someone who is from a close family with a good network of friends, I never thought I would be the type of person to want or need to tell a complete stranger my most vulnerable thoughts and feelings.
For whatever reason, after the death of a loved one, I could never offload to my closest friends and husband so things built up inside until I no longer had control over my emotions and could find no joy in anything.
Making the call to speak to a professional counsellor was an eye opener for me and after only two sessions, the sense of relief at sharing all my innermost fears and also anger at the unfairness of life meant that I could understand what grief actually is and be more in control again. The sessions gave me head space. After six sessions, I felt lighter and better equipped to deal with how I was feeling and that helped me cope with everything else that was going on in my life. I would use them again and strongly advise anyone else who is struggling and who thinks counselling isn’t for them to at least try it twice and then make a decision.
"Gill"
Someone very close to me died suddenly. I thought I was coping fine until one day I was on the phone to a colleague talking about something else and found myself getting really emotional. I had to cut the call short. I knew I had to do something.
To be honest I'm someone who's always been sceptical about counselling and the whole concept of 'wellbeing'. I'd had a lot of support from friends, family and workmates, but talking to a professional was a game-changer. It allowed me to be vulnerable when I'd been trying to be strong, and validated the intensity of what I'd been feeling.
"Ted"
Money worries
I'd got myself into a real mess financially. It was one thing after another really until everything built up. I didn't want to admit to my husband what I'd been putting on my credit cards because he had his own worries.
I was too ashamed to talk to anyone about it, but one first step that seemed possible was to log on to the self-help section of the EAP and read up about debt and how to deal with it.
You might laugh but I told my husband I was popping out to see a friend and instead I went to a local coffee shop and spent a couple of hours on my phone with the EAP app, researching everything. I was shocked at how little I had really understood about budgeting, interest rates and things like that.
I think I was looking for a magic wand which someone would wave and take away all my money worries. There wasn't one, but reading up and making some plans was really helpful.
My first step when I got home was to confide in my husband. Together we've made a concrete plan to get out of debt. It's not going to be easy, especially with the cost of living, and it will take a few years. But I'm confident that between us we have the tools to do it.
"Delia"
Health concerns
My mum was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and I was told I was heading in the same direction.
What a surprise - I suppose we all think we'll be able to live on chocolate, crisps and beer forever, but it was a bit of a wake-up call.
I logged in to the wellbeing portal and got lots of useful advice on nutrition and exercise.
I must admit I'm not yet totally in 'healthy zone' but I started some easy exercise and after a couple of months I'm starting to enjoy it - not something I ever thought I'd say! And while chocolate is still on the menu, it's not every day, and many more veggies have found their way onto my plate. Beer at weekends only. One step at a time, but I've already lost half a stone!
"George"
Community impact
One other thing all four of these colleagues mentioned was how they've found the mental space to spend more time with friends and, in one case, started volunteering in the local community. And in turn, making more friends and connections supports mental health. The ripple effects of good mental health can go a long way.
So if you're a MacIntyre colleague, or someone whose organisation provides an EAP, we say don't hesitate, take advantage of what's available to you to improve your life.
And if you don't have access to these resources, you will find support at organisations such as Mind.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ThisIsMyCommunity
