EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

As counseling becomes more and more accepted as a healthy way to overcome problems, Allen EAP respects and maintains your privacy. Assurance of confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of your Employee Assistance Program.

• Federal and State confidentiality laws prohibit the EAP from disclosing clinical information without the client's written consent.

• A written consent process includes signing a form which specifies in writing exactly what information is to be disclosed, to whom, for what purpose, and the time period that release will be in effect. This assures that the client is informed and agrees with the disclosure of information about them.

There are a few exceptions to the confidentiality law:

• If a client presents a serious danger to him/herself or someone else.

• If a counselor recognizes that child or dependent adult abuse/neglect is occurring.

• If a qualified court order is issued in conjunction with either a criminal or civil case.

• Your company receives a quarterly report which identifies the total sum of initial and follow-up visits. No demographic information is shared that would identify anyone using the EAP.

If you have any questions concerning the confidentiality of our EAP services or would like to schedule an appointment, call Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., (319) 235-3550, or toll-free at 1-800-303-9996. If you need emergency assistance when our offices are closed, please call and ask to speak to an EAP counselor, who will contact you within one hour of your call.

Allen Hospital Dack Hall, Room 227

Depression is no mere slump in mood. Unlike "the blues," which tend to clear up in a few days, depression frequently is both prolonged and recurring. It can't be ignored, and it can't be joked or whistled away. If you think you have depression, make an appointment to attend National Depression Screening Day on October 11. Depression is one of the most treatable of illnesses, with the vast majority of sufferers showing improvement in as little as eight weeks.

Back by popular request . . . Depression Screenings by Appointment. This Screening includes: Video on Depression, Questionnaire, Brief Consult with a Mental Health Professional, and Education Materials and Referral Information.

Call 319-235-3550 to schedule your FREE Screening Appointment for Thursday, October 11.

Employees and their families often like to know the background of our counselors at Allen EAP. Our licensed, master's-trained, credentialed, counselors have extensive skills in a broad range of issues to assist you. The following counselors work at our Waterloo EAP site.

Your company may contract with sites in Northeast Iowa if you live outside the Waterloo area. Call Allen EAP at 1-800-303-9996 to seek assistance for the site nearest you.

Judee specializes in marital/family counseling, depression, traumatic injuries, chronic

and/or life-threatening illnesses.

Jewel specializes in gambling treatment, couples counseling, and depression.

Evelyn specializes in grief issues, death and dying, gero-psychiatry, depression, and

medical health issues.

Holly specializes in adolescent addiction issues.

Linda specializes in marital/family counseling, addictions, and co-dependency.

Stephanie specializes in addictions and co-dependency issues.

Margie specializes in women's issues, gambling treatment, marital/family counseling,

depression , and anxiety.

Jo specializes in adolescent issues, individual/marital/family counseling, gambling

treatment, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Jennifer specializes in marital/family counseling, depression, parenting, children, and

grief and loss.

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1. Learn as much as you can about the drug that has been prescribed for you; ask about non-drug options.
2. Question your doctor and pharmacist about the drug's effects, side effects, and dangerous

interactions with other drugs, alcohol, and food.

3. Continuously monitor the drug's effect on your individual body chemistry, and report your

body's reactions to your doctor.

4. Before stopping a prescription or increasing the dose, call your doctor for advice.

q Have family members or your doctor ever told you they were worried about your use of

medication?

q Do you get annoyed or uncomfortable when others talk about your use of pills?

q Have you been treated previously for alcohol abuse, prescription drug abuse, or drug use?

q After having been turned down for a refill, have you ever changed doctors or drug stores in

order to maintain your supply?

q Have you been taking diet pills, tranquilizers, pain medication, or sleeping pills for over a

month or two?

q Are you using your pills more as a "crutch" than as a solution to a temporary medical

problem?

q Do you take your pills "on the sly?"

q Do you feel you might be addicted to your prescription medication?

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If you answered yes to any of these questions, there's a possibility you are physically and/or psychologically addicted to your medications. Talk to your doctor, or call Allen EAP.