Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, voluntary, and confidential information, assessment, and referral service available to all New York State employees, retirees, and their family members. EAP provides confidential assistance to any employees seeking help with a personal or work-related problem, including family, marital, medical, financial, legal, grief and loss, elder care, and substance abuse. EAP does not provide direct therapy but serves as a link between Buffalo State employees and skilled professionals in the community. EAP is a neutral office whose services are designed to improve the quality of working families’ lives.

Eligibility and Referral
Using the referral services of EAP is not a condition of employment. Depending upon the nature of the problem, employees seeking assistance are referred to a program, service, or agency within the community for appropriate counseling or assistance.  EAP is voluntary and employees may refer in several ways:

• Self-Referral: As the acceptance of the program has grown, the number of self-referrals has increased and the focus of the program has shifted from crisis intervention to crisis prevention.
• Supervisor Referral: An employee may be approached by his/her immediate supervisor whose responsibility includes identifying chronic job performance problems. The supervisor may recommend or suggest a visit to EAP.
• Third-Party Referral: Employees may contact an EAP coordinator at the suggestion of a third-party (a family member, friend, co-worker, etc.).

Confidentiality
EAP is a confidential information, assessment, and referral service. The only exceptions to confidentiality are:

• where information is required by law to be disclosed
• where there is a reasonable belief that an employee’s conduct places him/her or another person in imminent threat of bodily harm
• where there is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse has been or will be committed

When to Seek Assistance
Since no two individuals are exactly the same, deciding when to get professional counseling assistance can vary. If you are experiencing any of the following, please consider contacting and EAP coordinator for a referral or seek other professional resources for consultation and assistance.

• Unmanageable anxiety or fear
• Uncontrollable emotions
• Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or depression
• Increased or ongoing stress
• Difficulty in coping
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Rage or excessive anger
• Difficulty getting along with others
• Conflicts in marriage, family, work, or school
• Low self-esteem
• Reliance on alcohol or drugs
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Chronic physical problems where no organic or medical cause can be found
• Any symptom or problem that feels out of your control and is making life difficult for you

How to Seek Assistance
Leave a message on the confidential voice mail system at (716) 878-6699 and a coordinator will return your call promptly or email eap@buffalostate.edu. If you feel you must speak with someone immediately, please call the EAP main office at (800) 822-0244. If you are in a crisis situation, please call Erie County Crisis Services at (716) 834-3131 or dial 911.