July Mental Health Series – Minority Mental Health Month

The EAP has seen an increase in employee stress levels and requests for assistance. Therefore, for the month of July, we are offering a series of posts about topics relevant to mental health and options for help. Part 1 is below. Parts 2 and 3 will cover What to Expect in Therapy and Understanding Treatment Modalities.

Part 1: The EAP Celebrates Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

People within all ethnic groups are individuals with a unique set of experiences, perceptions, and preferences. However, statistics show mental health disparities for individuals in minority communities. Some do not get the mental health treatment they need, and therefore suffer sub-par outcomes. This is a complex issue but there are some common barriers impacting access:

• System or provider diversity, bias, or cultural competency
• Financial/insurance coverage
• Cultural stigma, norms and perceptions of mental health and treatment

The EAP is Here to Help

The EAP is committed to providing equitable and quality care to all program clients. Here are some things in place to make the EAP an accessible service for everyone:

• An openness and willingness to listen, learn and be responsive
• A diverse EAP workgroup
• Staff training on cultural and diversity issues
• Staff competency in trauma
• Evaluation of program utilization, accessibility, and perceptions of care
• Efforts to increase diversity on mental health referral panels
• EAP News Features: Men of Color and Mental Health
• Program sponsorship: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health: Promoting Wellness & Healing for People of Color
• Multi-language capability on the EAP website and for EAP appointments
  – Haitian Creole and Spanish Speaking counselors on staff

EAP Website Resources

• Race and Ethnicity
• General Mental Health
• Mental Health and Diversity
• Immigration
• Social Determinants of Health 

Minority Mental Health Month Information

• NAMI
• Mental Health America
• American Counseling Association

Help with Referrals

Referrals through the EAP

All employees and family household members who want to discuss needs around a mental health issue can contact the EAP for an assessment or assistance with a referral.  You can request an appointment at 866-724-4327 or via our online form for confidential assistance.

Referrals through Lyra 

An additional mental health referral option for Mass General Brigham employees and families with Mass General Brigham Health Plans is available through Lyra.