Our EAP provider is now called TELUS Health, which includes access to the same support network of EAP clinicians to assist and support you. It also brings with it a brand-new wellbeing platform called TELUS Health One.
TELUS Health One makes care more accessible, bringing together mental, physical and financial wellbeing, enabling you to access the support you need when, where, and how you need it. TELUS Health One includes access to TELUS Health EAP, giving you 24/7 access to support for your mental health and other areas of your personal and professional life. Browse a searchable library of wellbeing content including articles, toolkits, audio recordings and more, for tips and tools for everyday wellbeing, covering areas related to family, health, life, money and work.
What is EAP?
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a free, confidential counselling service available to University of Otago staff.
The purpose of the programme is to provide short term, brief intervention counselling. The counselling support can be used when issues at work or personal problems may be disrupting your home and/or work life. Three sessions are available free. In the event of longer maintenance counselling being required this would be at the cost of the individual staff member.
The programme recognises that there are many issues affecting an individual's ability to perform. The programme has been accessed by staff for many different issues, some of which are: relationships, stress, family, workplace, alcohol/drugs, bereavement, and legal.
Find a counsellor and make contact here
For urgent appointments please contact TELUS Health directly.
Tel 0800 360 364 (free within New Zealand)
TELUS Health website
Cultural needs
If staff are finding that the list of counsellors is not meeting their cultural needs, please contact TELUS Health directly or contact Carina Perner, the EAP Coordinator.
TELUS Health
Tel 0800 360 364 (free within New Zealand)
Employees have access to a whole range of other resources on the TELUS Health website:
- Content library with articles, podcasts and toolkits
- Wellbeing assessments and Care Now programmes
- SMS chat and online booking form – (note online booking form still in development but should be ready for release either Sept or Oct)
Visit the TELUS Health One website (you can sign in to view additional content using the username 'uniotago' and password 'eap')
Additional information:
- Downloading the TELUS Health One App (PDF)
- EAP User Guide (PDF)
- TELUS Health Total Wellbeing Assessment Flyer (PDF)
- TELUS Health Care Now Flyer (PDF)
Watch this short video for an overview of how to navigate the new platform:
Staff can access the platform to find information and practical tools for a range of topics such as:
- Family
- Health
- Life
- Money
- Work
Who is the Counselling programme available to?
The programme is available to:
- All permanent and fixed term full time staff
- All part time with 0.5 FTE or greater, and with an employment contract(s) totalling 12 months or more
How many sessions are available?
University of Otago will pay for up to three, 1-hour sessions with a TELUS Health-approved counsellor. If further sessions are required, please discuss this directly with your counsellor. We recognise that some staff may need additional support.
How to access the programme?
There are two ways of accessing the programme:
Direct access to one of the TELUS Health counsellors
A telephone call can be made directly to a counsellor and a time arranged to meet. Text messages are often preferred. If there is an answer service, please state the place of work (University of Otago) and that you are part of the TELUS Health EAP programme, leave your phone number and the best time to be contacted.
Find a counsellor and make contact here
Access via TELUS Health
TELUS Health has been contracted to provide EAP services to the University. TELUS Health has an affiliate network of professional counsellors nationwide. You can call TELUS Health on 0800 360 364. If your need is urgent, please call TELUS Health who will help find a counsellor who can meet with you remotely within 24 hours or SMS chat with them between 9:30am to 9:30pm.
Concerns about access and availability
Please contact the University EAP Coordinator Carina Perner (Occupational Mental Health and Wellbeing advisor) if there are general questions about EAP or concerns about the accessibility and availability of certain counsellors. However, she won't be able to book appointments for staff. Staff arrange appointments themselves or ask a trusted person to assist.
Referrals
There are two types of referrals:
Informal referral
An informal referral is initiated by a staff member when they recognise a problem themselves, or following a suggestion from a colleague, family member or friends.
Workplace referral
A workplace referral is recommended by a Supervisor or Head of Department when impaired work performance continues after normal supervision practices have been followed. The offer may be declined by the employee as the programme is voluntary. All workplace referrals must be coordinated through Human Resources and/or Occupational Health.
Key contacts
Carina Perner
EAP Coordinator
Tel 64 21 920 696
Email carina.perner@otago.ac.nz