Page 4 - The MIL Connection: Fall 2024

Don’t go it alone: mental health support through EAP

October is a month to raise awareness around mental and emotional health issues, with several
observances and days set aside for just that purpose. For example, October is National Depression and
Mental Health Screening Month, and October 5th is National Depression Screening Day. This campaign
aims to raise awareness of depression and promote mental health screenings.
October 10th is recognized globally as World Mental Health Day (WMHD). This observance aims to raise
awareness of mental health issues and improve the quality of mental health care worldwide. This year’s
call to action is "It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace." According to Tsuyoshi Akiyama,
World Federation of Mental Health President, “World Mental Health Day 2024 will highlight various
aspects of mental health at work, from workplace conditions and stress management to the importance of
social inclusion and empowerment. The goal is clear: to champion mental health in the workplace and build best practices that
create cultures where workers have the potential to contribute productively and thrive.”
October also finds ADHD Awareness Month on the calendar, bringing the latest news
on the disorder from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Attention Deficit
Did you know?
Disorder Association (ADDA).
Finally, the first week in October is set aside as Mental Illness Awareness Week and the D i d yo u k no w?
second week (October 13 – 19, 2024) is dedicated to OCD Awareness Week.
Through the efforts of organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health and the According to Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration issues impacting the mental, America, major depression is
emotional, and physical well-being of everyday Americans are studied and explored, one of the most common mental
destigmatized, and treated with respect and sensitivity. These organizations and others are
working to make the Nation’s citizens stronger and more resilient and are adding to the illnesses, affecting more than 8%
body of information available to assist individuals and families during trying times. (21 million) of American adults
each year. 15% of youth (3.7
million) ages 12-17 are affected
by major depression.
To explore how MIL is also helping to support the
fight for mental wellness visit our new video on
the how’s and why’s of MIL’s Employee Assistance
Program (EAP). In the presentation, you’ll learn
the history of EAPs, what it is and how it can help
you. The video also discusses the services offered,
and presents a step-by-step guide on accessing EAP
services, including all of the different ways you can
connect with the program.

MIL’s EAP covers three main categories of well-
being:
» Health, which includes healthy living, stress
management, mental health, diet and fitness, and
overall wellness
» Family, which includes parenting support, child
and elder care, learning programs, and special
needs help, and
» Legal and financial, including support for legal
issues, will preparation, taxes and debt, identity
theft services, financial planning tools and
assistance, and medical bill negotiation tools
We hope this overview video shines light on all of the
various benefits and support the EAP offers you and
your family. If you need help navigating the EAP and
its services, please contact your designated HR Partner
for personal and confidential assistance.

4 | the MIL connection | fall 2024