This message was sent to ##Email## To advertise in this publication please click here December 29, 2020 The Employee Assistance Professionals Association Board of Directors, Employee Assistance Certification Commission and the staff of EAPA offers best wishes for the coming holiday seasons to our members, CEAPs, partners and EA professionals everywhere! As we reflect on the past year, we list in reverse chronological order the 20 most popular EAP NewsBrief articles of 2020, Part 1. Regular publication of the NewsBrief will resume Tuesday, Jan. 12. Happy Holidays! 20. 1 in 4 workers at risk for serious COVID-19 illness as employers open up workplaces Human Resource Executive From July 7: Nearly one in four workers is at high risk for serious complications from COVID-19 if infected, according to new analysis from Kaiser Family Foundation, signaling that employers may want to embrace remote work options longer than expected and better prepare for bringing workers back to the workplace. READ MORE 19. Pandemic has more Americans turning to alcohol HealthDay News From Oct. 6: Is the coronavirus pandemic driving people to drink? Yes, a new U.S. survey shows, and the greatest spike in alcohol use is being seen in women. Overall, there was a 14% jump in drinking frequency this past spring among U.S. adults over 30 when compared to last year at the same time, researchers found. Among women, drinking frequency went up 17%. READ MORE VIDEO SHOWCASE Adaptable Solutions for any Business Promoted by PODS Enterprises, LLC Your employees deserve real recovery. Promoted By Symetria Recovery 18. CDC's expanded "close contact" rule problematic for employers EHS Today From Nov. 3: A new, broader definition of “close contact” in regard to COVID-19 issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could cause real headaches for employers. Previously, the CDC defined a “close contact” as someone who spent 15 or more consecutive minutes within six feet of someone who had a confirmed case of COVID-19. As a result, employers who screen employees for the virus would typically ask them about fever, symptoms, travel and having been within six feet for 15 consecutive minutes or more with someone who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 or was awaiting a COVID-19 test. READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) ISP for Employee Assistance Programs, Organizations and Workplaces 17. Coronavirus pandemic sets up potential breakout moment for virtual mental health care STAT From April 14: With the coronavirus pandemic causing unprecedented levels of stress and grief, companies offering virtual mental health care say they’re seeing a massive surge in interest — and are scrambling to meet that demand by introducing new services, accelerating launch timelines, and bringing more staff on board. READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Discovery Behavioral Health Five Things to Do to Manage Stress TMS for Treatment Resistant Depression Changes Lives COVID 19 & Addiction: Staying Connected in a Time of Isolation 16. Why empathy is key as employees return to workplaces Human Resource Executive From June 2: As employees return to the workplace, profit and productivity aren’t the only concerns on their employers’ mind. The mental health of workers ranks high on everyone’s list; some employees will be fearful to return because they have no idea what will meet them at the door. Will their job or job tasks be the same? What new policies and procedures will they have to observe? What if some employees don’t wear a mask? READ MORE 15. Anxiety, depression increased during pandemic. Why not loneliness? NPR From Oct. 20: When the pandemic hit, mental health professionals predicted lockdowns and social distancing would result in a wave of loneliness. But researchers who study loneliness say that hasn't happened. READ MORE 14. The not-so-silent fallout from COVID-19 — stress EHS Today From June 16: Acknowledging the emotional part of dealing with this pandemic is a huge stepping stone to delving further into the area of mental health. READ MORE  SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Gateway Foundation Get the Treatment You Need, From Wherever, With GatewayConnect The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Find a Local Trusted Treatment Center Near You Offering Levels of Care for Each Step of the Way Learn How We Constantly Strive to the Best Treatment Provider 13. 2020 Workplace Outcome Suite (WOS) Annual Report finds EAP counseling significantly improves employee wellbeing, ability to concentrate and productivity EAPA From Sept. 22: The 2020 Workplace Outcome Suite (WOS) Report is now available to the public. The WOS, an EAPA-endorsed tool, demonstrates the effectiveness of EAPs in quantifiable business terms. For 2020, the study sample included 35,693 employees with self-reported data collected over a period of 10 years, between 2010 and 2019. A total of 38 different sources provided valid data on all five WOS measures: 20 EAP vendors, 17 employer-based programs and one industry group of external vendors in the United States. READ MORE 12. The rise of employee assistance programs during COVID-19 By Grace Ferguson From Sept. 8: Originally designed to address the negative effects of alcohol abuse on productivity and organizational performance, employee assistance programs (EAPs) have evolved immensely since their inception. Today, EAPs are structured to manage a wide range of complex issues surrounding employee mental health. Though employers have been ramping up their EAP initiatives for some time now, it’s the COVID-19 pandemic that’s catapulting this workplace benefit to greater heights. READ MORE PRODUCT SHOWCASE Evidence-based online Interventions 24/7 access Specializing in substance use disorder Personalized AUDIT Assessment EAP/SAP DOT 49 CFR 40 Violations for Cannabis/Drugs/Alcohol Check out our online Substance Abuse Prevention Programs ideal for onboarding new Employees & Safety Sensitive Workers   LEARN MORE   Reach Your Prospects Every Week Thousands of industry professionals subscribe to association news briefs, which allows your company to push messaging directly to their inboxes and take advantage of the association's brand affinity. Connect with Highly Defined Buyers and Maximize Your Brand Exposure   LEARN MORE   11. Feeling the pressures of the pandemic: Suicide hotlines see 800 percent spike in calls WZTV April 21: Jobs disappearing, businesses shutting down, and separation from friends and family due to COVID-19 have placed an uncomfortable, emotional strain on people. Some describe feelings of unmanageable stress, isolation sadness and thoughts of being trapped or powerless. READ MORE 10. Growing concerns of coronavirus should spur plans in the workplace Employee Benefit News From March 3: Chances are, if you work for a large company, you received an email like one sent to Volkswagen employees Monday: Coronavirus concerns mean some limits on business travel, everyone should remember to “wash your hands frequently” and stay home if sick. READ MORE SUGGESTED COMPANIES Your Trusted Treatment Partner © Find effective help and healing for employees struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. Read more     Promoted by ValleyHope Novartis @Novartis © We want to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to prevent and cure diseases. Read more   Providing Healthcare Solutions   Promoted by Novartis GE Healthcare @GEHealthcare © We provide medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Read more   Healthcare Collaboration   Promoted by GE Healthcare   EAP NewsBrief Connect with EAPA Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, MultiView, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit Tammy Gibson, Sr. Content Editor, 469-420-2677 | Contribute news International Employee Assistance Professionals Associations 4350 North Fairfax Dr., Suite 740  |  Arlington, VA 22203  703-387-1000  |  Contact Us  |  www.eapassn.org Click here to unsubscribe.  Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES   7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063