July 15, 2010 by admin.

The latest crisis is our financial situation which has a lot of people feeling anxious, depressed and worried, some for good reasons! Many are out of jobs looking for some time now, but facing an uphill battle.  In the meantime bills are still due and many are scrambling to make ends meet.  Some “opt-out” by not paying mortgages or other bills and just giving up.  Others borrow money here and there and cut costs, hoping to survive until they get employment again.  It’s times like this that challenge people!

One of my main therapeutic approaches is cognitive behavioral therapy which involves examining one’s thoughts to see if due to distortions such as making one’s problems bigger than they are, or making one’s possible solutions smaller than they are, or making absolute statements such as “no” hope, or “It’ll ‘never’ get better,” or labeling, such as “I’m no good.”  As you can see these thoughts minimize hope and contribute to increased anxiety and depression.  In therapy one learns to discover one’s illogical thoughts and challenge them by revising them to be more accurate such as “I know I feel anxious and depressed, but I also know there’s help.” As a result one is empowered to actively engage is the behaviors to make changes.

Another component of this therapy is to identify specific behaviors that can make one feel less anxious and more hopeful such as talking to a friend, engaging the services of a credit consumer agency, employing a job searcher, going out with one’s friends, and exercise.  Many of these types of behaviors positively affects one’s mood, again allowing a person to get out of the douldroms and make positive changes.

Yes, we all feel anxious and down at times, but there are things we can do to feel better. Let’s do them!

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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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October 2, 2007 by Mike Keefe.

In October each year we observe a week dedicated to awareness 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 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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