Resources for Veterinary Professionals

Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential, short-term counseling from Licensed Professional Counselors for a full range of personal issues and achieving a healthy work/life balance across the life span. In a crisis, emergency help is available 24/7.

Our EAP is designed to help our employees lead a happier & healthier life both at home and at work.  You are able to get assistance and resources for many issues, including:

• Stress, anxiety, depression
• Relationship, family, parenting issues, caregiving
• Child Care Research
• Elder Care Resources
• Financial or Legal Issues
• Substance Abuse
• Financial
• Anger, grief, loss
• Life transitions
• Referrals for additional treatment, as needed

All part-time and full-time employees with over XX hours are eligible for this free service.  Spouses, domestic partners, dependent children, parents, and parents-in-law are also eligible for these services.

There are two options to access support, which is available 24/7:

• Via phone: 1-800-854-1446
• Online: unum.com/lifebalance
• In-person: You are able to receive up to three visits, at no additional cost to you, with a Licensed Professional Counselor.  Your counselor may refer you to community resources for ongoing support.

• Mental Health America- Mental Health America is a leading nonprofit group that supports good mental health for all people. On the website, you can access information on mental health topics, depending on ethnic group, career or military status, and age group.
• What is Anxiety and Depression?- a great resource for individuals who feel they may be experiencing depression or anxiety courtesy of the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
• "There is No Shame in Taking Care of Your Mental Health"- a TEDTalk with a successful entrepreneur who learned how to handle anxiety in a society that's uncomfortable with emotions.
• Take a Mental Health Test- 10+ online screening tests that are available for a variety of mental health topics. Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. *Please note: Online screening tools are not diagnostic instruments. You are encouraged to share your results with a physician or healthcare provider.
• Mental Health and Wellness Podcasts- A list of 15 various podcasts dealing with mental health topics ranging from anxiety to OCD to depression and trauma.

• What is Anxiety?- a general overview of anxiety outlining common symptoms, including the "fight-or-flight" response often experienced by many individuals who suffer from an anxiety disorder.
• What are Anxiety Disorders?- Information about various anxiety disorders including Panic Disorder, Phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and more, courtesy of the American Psychiatric Association.
• Anxiety and Depression Society of America- a non-profit organization that works to help educate and provide resources for individuals suffering from anxiety or depression.
• Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress- some coping strategies and fitness tips to help manage anxiety and stress.
• Anxiety Test- a test available for people who feel that fear & worry are affecting their day-to-day life.

• What is Depression?- a short TEDTalk video about depression.
• Understanding Depression- a link from the Mental Health America website about depression and symptoms, which includes an online screening test.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)- The DBSA "provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders."  Information includes education, treatment options, and support resources for those suffering from depression or bipolar disorder.

• Work and Compassion Fatigue- a resource page available from the AVMA to help with both understanding the symptoms and how to help combat compassion fatigue.
• Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project- an organization whose mission is to "promote an awareness and understanding of compassion fatigue and its effect on caregivers." Includes reading resources and a downloadable copy of "The Caregiver's Bill of Rights".
• "Running on Empty: Compassion Fatigue in Health Professionals"- a PDF article that includes compassion fatigue signs and symptoms, addresses compassion fatigue, and helps individuals create a "compassion fatigue toolkit".
• "The Antidote to Compassion Fatigue"- an article from "Today's Veterinary Nurse" that offers solutions to combat compassion fatigue including "celebrating the wins" and reflecting on and writing about "Why am I doing what I am doing?”