EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(A Confidential source of help for our valued employees at
Rhode Island College.)
LifeWatch Employee Assistance Program, the "parent" agency of the Rhode Island College Confidential Assistance Program, is a service available to all Rhode Island College employees and their dependents; it is a highly confidential, professional source of help for persons needing information, assessment, and referral to counseling or treatment resources throughout Rhode Island.
If a personal problem is overtaking your life, perhaps we can help by assessing the problem, advising you of treatment resources, and supporting you in your program recovery.
If you wish to go directly to the LifeWatch website click here.
Purpose
LifeWatch Employee Assistance Program has been designed to provide you or your dependents with a highly confidential, effective source of help for personal problems that have grown to the point of seriously affecting you on the job or at home.
Although we recognize that you probably have found solutions to most of your problems in the past, sometimes the right resource hasn't been found or used and the situation has worsened. All of us need some form of help at one time or another in our lives. It's okay to reach out for that help.
How it works
LifeWatch Employee Assistance Program is not a counseling service. The primary function of the program is to help refer you or your family member to the most appropriate and effective help in our community. When you or a member of your family contacts the Employee Assistance Program, a professional case manager will help to assess your problem, advise you on available alternatives for treatment, counseling, or further evaluation, and assist you in arranging an appointment in a completely confidential manner.
LifeWatch Employee Assistance Program is not a cure-all of life's problems. The program is not designed to handle specific on-the-job problems such as dissatisfaction with supervisors, raises, transfers, or promotions. But it is a reasonable place to start with personal problems that are overtaking any area of your life and beginning to become unmanageable.
Some of the major problem areas that LifeWatch Employee Assistance Program can help you with are:
Alcoholism
- If you are concerned that you or a member of your family may have a drinking problem, the program can
- be a vital source of help. Alcoholism is a progressive illness that affects an estimated 18 million Americans.
- The disease of alcoholism is simply an addiction to the drug alcohol or ethanol and can be successfully treated. There has been a 75 percent recovery rate in programs such as ours.
- Alcoholism is called a family disease because it adversely affects everyone around the alcoholic. spouse, children, parents, friends, and co-workers. They suffer from the cycle of problems generated by the drinking as well as from the frustration of not knowing what to do about it.
- Understanding the problem can often lead to positive solutions, but what is required first is recognition that a problem exists.
Drug Misuse
- The American obsession with "taking a pill" for every conceivable physical pain or emotional discomfort many times results in a dependence on one or more over-the-counter or prescription drug.
- The same drive to be part of, better than, or at least comfortable with, other segments of society often leads to dependence on illicit drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, or heroin.
- In either case, professional help is needed to break the vicious cycle of drug use and the toll that it takes on everyone around the addict.
- Remember, as with all drugs, including the most' abused drug of all--alcohol, the diagnosis is based on the use of the drug, followed by trouble, followed by use, followed by trouble etc., etc. The addict or alcoholic is simply a person whose drinking or using creates problems in his or her life and continues to drink or use.
Personal Problems
Unknowingly, you may be allowing the stress of working and living in a fast-paced society to adversely affect you. Depression, anxiety, loneliness, and frustration can be overcome.
Family Conflicts
When family problems just won't go away and you just don't know where or how to start getting help, perhaps we can link you with just the kind of professional counseling that you need and deserve!
Marital Problems
Today's high divorce rate takes its toll in terms of productivity and personal effectiveness. The long and sometimes frustrating process will emotionally drain the most resourceful person.
Confidentiality
There is practically no way that anyone can get any information about you or your family member if you voluntarily seek help through the program, unless you tell them. All staff persons connected with LifeWatch Employee Assistance Program, as well as the program advisors, and those persons affiliated with the RIC Confidential Assistance Program (your fellow employees), are pledged to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
Health Care Coverage
Your particular medical plan covers most, and sometimes all, of the costs for health care professionals to whom you may be referred for assistance.
Professional case managers associated with the Watch Employee Assistance Program will do everything possible (1) to refer you to the most qualified source of help, and (2) to inform you ally what the costs will be. They will also work with you and the treatment provided to p costs reasonable in terms of effectiveness of treatment and your ability to pay.
Basically, some life problems just won't go away themselves. There is always a cost involved in solving them; a cost in terms of time, effort, or money. Whatever the cost may be, it be a good investment in the future for you your family.
How To Get Help
In order to make reaching out for help as comfortable and confidential as possible, we created here at Rhode Island College a "helping network" of concerned fellow employee (Confidential Assistance Program), linked together with the professional staff members of Watch Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
You may call the EAP directly for information and/or an appointment. In most cases, they will respond within 48 hours with an initial appointment for problem assessment.
Online Services
Your EAP benefit is expanded to offer you services on-line. If you would like to access services, book appointments, or read information on various mental health issues you may go to http://www.lifewatch-eap.com/ or call. Remember if your situation is an emergency please call LifeWatch at their toll free 24 hour 7 day a week number at 1-800-3336228/TT/TTY 1-800-745-5555.
Rhode Island College
Confidential Assistance Program
LifeWatch Program Advisors
Mary Olenn
Health
molenn@ric.edu
Tom Randall
Psychology
trandall@ric.edu
Sharon Mazyck
Career Services
smazyck@ric.edu
Philip McClintock
Music
pmcclintcok@ric.edu
Robert Tetreault
Human Resources
rtetreault@ric.edu
Richard H. Leclerc, ACSW
Executive Director
1-800-333-6228
Notice of Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination
Rhode Island College is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action. No student, employee, or applicant will be denied admission, employment, or access to programs and activities because of race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, handicap/disability status, or sexual orientation/preference. This College policy is in concert with state and federal nondiscrimination laws, Inquiries concerning the College administration of the nondiscrimination laws should be addressed It) the College director of affirmative action. Questions regarding provisions for persons with disabilities should be directed to the Office of Student Life, 127 Craig-Lee Hall. Rhode Island College, Providence. RI 02908-1991. Telephone (401) 456-81161 (voice and TDD). Reasonable accommodations upon request.
