By: J. Novello
At Michigan State University, the Employee Assistance Program is here to support faculty and staff through life’s challenges, both at work and at home. Yet, even with longstanding availability, we often hear some misconceptions about the EAP. One of the biggest points of confusion about the EAP is how much support is available. The EAP offers up to six counseling sessions per event, meaning per concern or situation. These sessions are provided at no cost and are completely confidential. Whether you are navigating a stressful transition, coping with anxiety, working through relationship challenges, or dealing with something unexpected, you do not have to figure it out alone. Six sessions can provide meaningful support, tools, and referrals.
Another thing we wish more people knew is the availability of specialty services. The EAP counselors are trained to support a variety of concerns, going beyond general stress management. Current specialty areas include:
- Substance use disorder support short‑term counseling, and guidance on next steps.
- Couples counseling, helping partners strengthen communication, navigate conflict, or work through life changes together.
- Trauma counseling, offering evidencebased approaches, including Prolonged Exposure, for individuals coping with trauma and its longterm effects.
- Parenting support, using the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) model, a researchinformed approach designed to help parents support children struggling with anxiety and avoidant behaviors.
- Perinatal mental health conditions (PMHCs) support, offering evidence-based counseling services to MSU employees or their dependents who are pregnant or recently delivered who may be experiencing emotional and psychological challenges.
The EAP is available not only to MSU faculty and staff, but also to retirees, graduate assistants, spouses and partners, and benefits-eligible children through age 26. That means support extends beyond the workplace and into the broader realities of your life. When one family member is struggling, it often affects everyone. The EAP recognizes that and provides confidential support to help households navigate challenges together.
Confidentiality is core to everything the EAP does. Using the EAP’s services does not become part of your employment record and is not shared with anyone outside of EAP including supervisors, unions, or Human Resources. The goal is simple: to provide a safe, supportive space where you can focus on your wellbeing.
If there is one final thing we wish people knew, it is how easy it is to start. You do not need a referral, a diagnosis, or a crisis. You don’t even need to know exactly what you want to talk about but just that you’re feeling off and not like yourself. You simply need to reach out. Email is the best way to contact the Employee Assistance Program: eap@msu.edu, but we can also be reached by phone at 517-355-4506. If you call, please leave us a voicemail. If you call after hours, you will have the option to be connected with our after hours counseling service by selecting 2 at the prompt.
As we move into a new academic year, we encourage you to think of the EAP as a resource you can return to when life feels complicated or overwhelming. Support is available, and we are here for you.
Source: UHW Plan 2024