Balancing work, home and family along with the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring can cause anxiety, worry and fear. While this is a normal response to stress, this uncertainty can feel overwhelming, especially when things seem (and are) out of your control.
Reducing stress and protecting mental health are essential for the wellbeing of you and your loved ones, and you don't have to do it alone. Use these programs and access to counselors to get the support you need.
Employee Assistance Program
Aetna Resources for Living
Stress less. Live more. As an employee or retiree, EAP is provided by Aetna to you at no additional cost. These services are also available to family members living in your home, even if they are not on your insurance policy.
For help and for information on any EAP service — call Aetna 24/7 at 833-657-2111 or login ResourcesForLiving.com.
Username: Harris County
Password: EAP
*Not available for Retirees covered on the Humana Medicare Advantage plan.
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING SUPPORT
Access up to eight (8) counseling sessions per issue each year. You can also call us 24 hours a day for in-the-moment emotional wellbeing support. Counseling sessions are available face to face, via televideo or chat therapy. Services are free and confidential.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
30-minute telephone consultation with a qualified specialist on topics such as budgeting, retirement or financial planning, credit and debt issues. You can get a 25% discount on tax preparation services. You also have access to financial articles, calculators and a financial assessment on your member website.
IDENTITY THEFT
One-hour fraud resolution phone consultation or coaching about ID theft prevention and credit restoration. Services include a free emergency kit for victims.
LEGAL SERVICES
30-minute consultation with an attorney for topics such as family law, elder law and estate planning, real estate transactions, wills and other document preparation, and many other services.* If you opt for services beyond the initial consultation you can get a 25% discount. You also have free access to legal documents and forms on your member website.
DAILY LIFE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Personalized guidance to find resources to support childcare, parenting and adoption, school and financial aid research, caregiver support, and even resources to assist with your home repair.
*Employment-related legal issues are NOT covered
Connect With Our Onsite Counselors
Schedule an Individual Session or a Group Session
Brandelyn Williams
LPCS, NCC
Eric Wells
LPCS, SAP, LSTOPS
Dr. Cynthia Kay
LPCS, PhD, MAC, SAP
Darryl Bailey
LPCS, LMFT, LCDC
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Click Choose Appointment, select one of the following providers, then select date and time.
WELL Mind
Mental Wellbeing Resource Center
988 is the three-digit dialing code to connect you or a loved one with the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline Counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day, or night. For more information or support, visit 988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of mental illness, it is important to access mental health services before the situation becomes a crisis. You can access these services by calling the MHMRA Helpline at 713-970-7000 if you live in Harris County.
If there is NOT AN IMMEDIATE THREAT OF DANGER but someone is experiencing a mental health challenge, and you live in the City of Houston, call the Houston Police Department’s non-emergency number at 713-884-3131 and request that a Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) officer be dispatched to the location of the incident.
If someone is experiencing a mental health challenge and there IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT OF DANGER to that person or someone else, call 911 and if possible, request a Crisis Intervention Team. An immediate threat of danger can include threats to hurt himself or another.
Aromatherapy can have different wellbeing benefits including:
- Relief from anxiety and depression
- Improved quality of life, particularly for people with chronic health conditions
- Improved sleep
Essential oils are natural compounds extracted from plants. When used for aromatherapy, essential oils activate receptors within the nose that can regulate emotions and other bodily systems. Different essential oils have varying benefits on well-being. Essential oils can be applied externally on the skin in small droplets, including on the forehead and temples. Diffusers are devices that disperse essential oil particles in the air for therapeutic purposes.
Sources & More Information
https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/about-aromatherapy/most-commonly-used-essential-oils
Pets have proven benefits to overall health. Companionship from animals helps relieve anxiety, stress and other mental health challenges. Pets may also enhance motivation and feelings of purpose and happiness.
Check out options for fostering or adopting pets through the following resources:
Harris County Pets
612 Canino Rd, Houston, TX 77076
281-999-3191
BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions
3200 Carr St, Houston, TX 77026
barcfoster@houstontx.gov
832-395-9084
Houston Humane Society
14700 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX 77053
713-433-6421
Pasadena Animal Shelter
5150 Burke Rd., Pasadena, TX 77504
281-991-0602
What is Fostering?
Fostering is when a person temporarily cares for a pet while waiting for the pet to be adopted. The foster process provides a safe, healthy environment for the pet and helps them become more socialized, which may improve the chances of adoption.
As an employee or retiree you have access to a valuable Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by Aetna Resources for Living at no additional cost. EAP personal advocates will work with you and your household family members to help you resolve issues you may be facing, connect you with the right mental health professionals, direct you to a variety of helpful resources in your community and more.
Cost
- No cost to you
- Can share EAP with someone in your household
EAP Services
The EAP offers access to face-to-face counselors in your area, as well as Aetna EAP phone consultants to help process life stresses and improve well-being.
- Counseling – Each person may use up to 8 face-to-face counseling sessions per issue per year.
- Legal assistance – 30-minute consultation with an attorney face-to-face or by phone (employment-related issues not covered)
- Financial – 30-minute telephone consultation with a qualified specialist on topics such as debt counseling or planning for retirement
- Parenting – Resources and referrals for childcare providers, before- and after-school programs, camps, adoption organizations, child development, prenatal care and more.
- Eldercare – Resources and referrals for home health agencies, assisted living facilities, social and recreational programs and long-distance care giving.
- Pet care – Resources and referrals for pet sitting, obedience training, veterinarians and pet stores.
- Identity theft – 60-minute consultation with a fraud specialist.
How to Get Started
- Contact Aetna 24/7 at 833-657-2111
- Log in at ResourcesForLiving.com
- Username: Harris County
- Password: EAP
EAP Resources