June 20, 2008 by Mike Keefe.

You can’t help noticing the effects of our recent floods and the associated fears, will my home be destroyed?  Will I lose everything? Will I get sick?  Will we be ruined financially? These fears are real for the people whose homes are under water and the future is clearly uncertain.  It’s also interesting to observe others’ reactions to this devasting situation.  Some just shrug their shoulders and say that’s just the way things are, others pitch in and fill sand-bags, others contribute to relief organizations, and one man I saw was emotionally upset and was visibly shaken by his impotence in view of the immensity of the disaster. These recent floods evoke the effects of Hurrican Katrina in New Orleans, the tsunami in the Indonesia area, the Chinese earthquake, and other terrible natural disasters.

As a Mental Health Counselor I am interested in people’s different reactions and the effect on them.  How people react does indicate their personality and outlook on the world. It also indicates their way of handling stress and anxiety. While one way of participating would be to go to the disaster area and provide crisis and longer-term counseling, another way is to invite others affected by these disasters in counseling sessions closer to home, for these events have significant effects on people geographically far but media close to the events and people. If you find you are one of those people negatively affected by events such as the recent floods, earthquakes, and wars, I again invite you to utilize either your employment assistance programs or mental health counseling.  Of course, there are many others ways of responding especially with a helping hand. Know that you are not alone, joining others not only allows your fears to be lessened but it also allows you to help others.

 Yes, the floods are here, earthquakes have recently struck, and wars continue.  But at the same time there are people ready to respond to your needs and others.  Join in!

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March 31, 2008 by Mike Keefe.

A common invitation we often get from acquaintances is “Just try one,” from foods, to drink, or to drugs. Unfortunately this common invitation, while seemingly innocent, has potentially dangerous results. Alcohol is more deceptive than many drugs due to its social use as well as advertisement.  It often is portrayed with partying, having a good time, and lots of laughs.  Unfortunately there’s another side, one that is often devasting to individuals, families, and society.

 When I work with clients I often ask them about their understanding of prohibition.  Some remember, and some don’t.  But it’s interesting when they do research and find out about the prohibition of alcohol here in the U.S., the reasons and their opinion as to whether prohibition would be a good idea today.  Many speak of the tragedies associated with alcohol and consider modern-day prohibition. Unfortunately alcohol abuse affects one’s physical and mental health, family life, social relationships, spiritual life, employment and employability, finances, and legal aspects.  It takes little research and/or personal inquiry to discover how destructive the effects of alcohol have on individuals and society. The effect of alcohol on driving and its relationship to accidents is obvious, yet people continue to drink and drive!

On the job alcohol is also potentially life-threatening.  Many of our modern-day employments require a clear head, to accomplish the task, or to protect oneself or co-workers from danger.  Alcohol abuse on the job seriously puts people at risk.

It is for these reasons that the early Employment Assistance Programs were developed, to address the problem of alcohol abuse on the job, to protect both the individual worker as well as the co-workers.  Alcohol and drug abuse continue to be modern-day problems with 17.6 million Americans over the age of 12 using illicit drugs of which 70% are employed and 48 million Americans who abuse alcohol.  (According to 2003 statistics). Alcohol impairs employees, they are less productive, three times more late to work, use sick time three times more, and increase healthcare costs. Those whose family members abuse alcohol can speak from a personal experience the effect on the family, emotionally, financially, and healthwise.

Fortunately many companies presently have good health benefits which include Employment Assistance Programs to address these concerns.  Employment Assistance Programs have grown from just addressing alcohol and drug problems to a wide-range of problems which affect one’s emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial well-being.  Companies have learned that healthy employees are more productive.  Therefore, employees are strongly encouraged to make use of their Employment Assistance Programs to improve their overall health.

 If you, or another family member, has a problem with alcohol, drugs, or other emotional, financial, or legal matters, call your Employment Assistance Program.  They are there to help you and others get the help you deserve!

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February 9, 2008 by Mike Keefe.

I just heard on the news that we were going for the record of number of days without sun!  I’m not sure about you, but most people are affected by the lack of sun-light.  Therefore, there was much rejoicing when the sun finally came out and we only tied the record for overcast days! Light and its absence affects our mood and it’s something to pay attention to especially at this time of year.  Some solutions are vacations to sunlight areas, the beach resorts.  That would be the best, but many of us can’t at this time.  Other solutions are mini-vacations, some week-ends off, a week-end at a hotel with swimming pool, spa, etc., or perhaps your favorite way of breaking the February blahs, maybe a night at the bowling alley, a time with friends, a dinner out, exercises, etc.  Whatever is within your possibilities while we are going for a record of cloudy days, now is a good time to try them.

 Naturally if your blahs are more than just temporary, lack of sun-light blahs, more action is called for. If so, now may be a good time to use your employment benefit program, EAP. If we at Step Ahead Counseling EAP can be of service, give us a call.

 So, keep up the fight with the February Blues.  If you need help, let us know!

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December 10, 2007 by admin.

The Holiday Season often becomes a source of stress and sadness instead of joy and celebration for the following reasons:

STRESS- 

The Holiday season can be a source of great joy or of great stress!  Often we devote a great deal of energy and time into this season, only to have undesired results, family tension and sad memories.  Because we invest so much time and energy combined with the advertisement of this season, people often feel the strain.  As we are now past Thanksgiving and into December people often start to feel the strain.  Many push themselves to accomplish social expectations including family gatherings and seasonal parties.  But after the hurrah often comes the let-down.

 GRIEF-

Another problem that often manifests itself at this holiday time is the reoccurence of grief.  Again the message we get is that this is a happy time, so when we experience the loss of a loved one, father, mother, spouse, sibling, child, or friend, we feel doubly sad since we are told that we are to feel happy, and we feel sad!  When these loses occur at holiday time, the holidays often remind us of our pain and lose instead of the joy others are celebrating.

SCHOOL-

This is also the time when our hopes for our children are often met with the reality of difficulties, with academics, friends, and with family.  Again, parents often feel the need to reach out and get that help they and their children need.  The time is now!

If any of the above applies to you know that you’re not alone and there’s help.  Counseling services including Employment Assistant Programs are there to help you through this stressful time.  Give us a call if we can help you through this time.  Happy Holidays/Bah Humbug!

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October 2, 2007 by Mike Keefe.

October 7-13, 2007 is the national observance of mental health.  Approximately 26% of adults in the U.S. experience a diagnosable mental illness in any given year.  Some common illnesses include: anxiety disorders, cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, developmental disorders such as autism and learning disorders, mood disorders especially depression and bipolar disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and substance-related disorders.  Recovery and improvement is possible!  However, many continue to suffer from the stigma associated with mental illness.

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October 2, 2007 by Mike Keefe.

Did you know that breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women, with an estimated 178,480 women expected to be diagnosed this year in the U.S? Recognizing this impact President Bush has proclaimed October as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

 It is unclear what is the cause of breast cancer, but several risk factors have been identified such as:

Age: Women over age 40 are more likely to develop breast cancer.

Family History: Having other family members such as a woman’s sister, mother, or daughter increases one’s risk.

Race: Caucasian women are more likely to develop breast cancer.

Obesity: Being overweight can increase the risk of breast cancer after menopause.

Physical Activity: Women who are physically inactive throughout life may have an incease risk of breast cancer.

Alcohol: Studies have suggested that the more alcohol a woman drinks, the greater her risk for breast cancer.

What you can do: Regular health care including mammograms and self-exams contribute to early detection.  Life-style changes including regular exercise and healthy diets seem to have a positive impact.  Participating in awareness building and fund-raising such as the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” contributes to research and greater awareness in the general population.

 The above information was contributed by APS Healthcare, the White House secretary, the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute.  Much more information is available from these and similar sources.  Get informed, change, and let your voices be heard!

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October 1, 2007 by Mike Keefe.

You’ve found the new blog created for clients and staff at Step Ahead Counseling Services, EAP, Inc. We hope to bring interesting news and topics here, and we welcome your comments. Let the conversation begin!

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