"Ask for Help When You Need It": One Employee's Message About Mental Health

Our frontline workers carry a huge and ongoing burden. Their hard work and struggles throughout the pandemic are well known—but help for the mental health toll their work takes can be completely confidential.

Alicia McAllister, a senior director in pediatrics, lost her husband Alva Daniels to suicide this summer. He was a dedicated respiratory therapist, and like many, the frontline became his every day. WThe work took a major toll on his mental health despite his efforts and the efforts of those close to him to address his needs.

"I decided to share Alva's story with the hope of helping: Helping the public to understand the frontline experience and helping to put a spotlight on the critical mental health needs of healthcare workers," said Alicia.

"Like so many of our frontline workers, Alva cared deeply about his work and his coworkers. Day to day, he was always upbeat and supportive," she said. "Underneath the surface, though, things weighed heavily on him; I encouraged him to reach out to EAP through spousal benefits, but he had concerns that it might impact my job if it wasn’t confidential.

Alicia's message to every employee is this: Ask for help when you need it—before it’s an emergency.

“Even though we are a part of Carilion, EAP is 100% confidential. Nothing is shared outside of our walls,” said Neely. “Please don’t let that misconception keep you or someone you care about from connecting with us!”

Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a group of mental health professionals that are available to help every employee. They don't diagnose mental health needs, they provide a safe place for you to unload, get support, get back on your feet and find the resources you need for a mentally healthy life. 

“We act as a sort of mental health urgent care for you and your family. We’re here and ready to quickly help get you what you need, whatever that looks like for you,” said Conner.

You, your dependent family members, your spouses and any family member living under your roof can have up to five free visits with EAP. 

If you or an eligible family member would benefit from EAP support, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call 981-8950 or 1-800-992-1931 to schedule an appointment. If you’re at CRMH, you can also contact the EAP staff member on-site directly at CCRunyon@carilionclinic.org.

Don’t know what might be right for you? Here are some of the resources available to every employee:

• EAP
  • Provides confidential assessment, referral, counseling, consulting, coaching and work-life training. 
  • Contact: 981-8950 or 1-800-992-1931
• COVID-19 Support Helpline
  • Directs you to appropriate internal departments that can help.
  • Contact: 1-800-468-1359
• The TRUST Team
  • Provides support to if you are experiencing distress related to patient events, acts of aggression and COVID-19.
  • Contact: 7TRST or the_trust_team@carilionclinic.org
• Recovery Support Phone Line
  • Provides support if you have concerns about mental health, substance misuse or maintenance of recovery.
  • Contact: 540-491-4878
• Financial Counseling/Coaching
  • Access free financial counseling/coaching to address a variety of financial challenges, or to support planning for the future. 
  • Contact Carilion EAP at 540-981-8950 or 1-800-992-1931
• Employee Emergency Fund
  • Provides access to funding for paying bills or expenses for employees experiencing emergent financial distress.
  • Contact: Pam Divers at psdivers@carilionclinic.org or 540-224-4544
• Resiliency Training on Cornerstone
  • Access interactive, web-based trainings that focus on guiding you to enhanced resiliency.
  • 100 Virgin Pulse points are awarded to participants.
• Clinicians Express
  • Brings faculty, residents and ACPs together to connect, discuss challenges and support one another.
  • Contact: Dr. Laura Daniels at lmdaniels@carilionclinic.org 
• Moral Distress Consults
  • Provides education and tools, facilitates moral distress discussions and supports managing moral distress.
  • Contact: Dr. Phyllis Whitehead at pbwhitehead@carilionclinic.org