by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Perhaps one of the City’s most untapped and readily available resources, staffers at the Employee Assistance Program say they’re committed to advocating the health and wellness of the City’s employees and their families, too.
According to Kathy Duke, the administrator of the program, workers from anywhere from the JTA to the Port Authority are welcome to take advantage of the EAP’s free services. Created in 1985, the program was a product of former mayor Jake Godbold, who was a strong proponent for City employees.
“We can help people cope with depression, stress, grief, anxiety and also help them work through family and relationship problems,” said Duke. “It’s our goal to keep them happy and on the job.”
She estimated the state certified counselors at the EAP see about 50 people a week despite the fact that word-of-mouth advertising is their strongest referral source.
“They are allowed 10 sessions with us,” said Duke. “Most companies only allow two or maybe three.”
She added that if someone isn’t satisfied after their 10th visit to any of Jacksonville’s six locations, the EAP can refer them to someone else for further counseling.
The offices of the EAP are open from 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Duke said the hours are designed to accommodate the potentially hectic schedule of a City employee. A 24-hour crisis line is also available for emergency use.
“We feel increasingly more vital as life becomes more fast-paced and we want everyone to feel like they have the time to see us,” she said. Walk-ins are welcome, but Duke recommends making an appointment.
One of the more popular programs recently adopted by the EAP is QuitSmart, a system designed to stop people from smoking.
“We were getting a lot of people asking us if we had any programs to help them quit smoking,” said Duke.
Developed by the director of Duke University’s Stop Smoking Clinic, it has had a 70 percent success rate for those choosing to participate locally. Other entities, including Apple Computer and the U.S. Air Force Academy also make the QuitSmart program available to their employees.
“I was a smoker for 33 years,” said Duke. “People used to always tell me that I should quit, and I knew that I should, but no one told me how. I used the program, and if I can quit, anyone can.”
She added that breaking someone’s nicotine addiction can also greatly reduce their insurance premiums and, ultimately, their cost of living.
“Quitting cold turkey won’t work for everyone,” said Duke. “Some people will need tools to help them.”
Future programs sponsored by the EAP may include a class targeting diabetes prevention.
“Obesity and smoking are two of the major health risks today,” said Duke, “so it makes sense for us to try to help.”
For information, call 630-1475.