Many employees are aware that Drake University offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) called Employee and Family Resources (EFR). However, this resource is often underutilized and even misunderstood. While confidential and free counseling is a critical component of EFR, some employees may not know that the counseling services are available to not just them, but also their family members.

Counseling is only one aspect of this great benefit. If you have not yet explored the EFR website, it is possible you have not discovered some of the hidden gems contained in this benefit. For example, did you know you can complete a DASS-21 self-assessment? The DASS-21 assessment quantifies distress along the dimensions of depression, anxiety, and stress. The self-assessment consists of 21 questions and only takes a couple minutes to complete. You’ll get an immediate assessment, which does not constitute a clinical diagnosis, but it will consist of an insightful sliding scale noting your depression, anxiety, and stress scores.

Did you know that EFR’s past webinars are available on demand? There are wonderful topics to explore, including conversations such as Unlocking the Powers of Mindfulness and Compassion During Tough Transitions, Moving from Confusing to Thriving: Life in an (Almost) Post-Pandemic World, Breaking the Silence: Men and Mental Health, Shaping a Strong Generation: Youth Resiliency, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace, and many more. Prefer podcasts? No problem. EFR has those, too. You can check out the list of recent podcasts here.