The Role of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in Workplace Mental Health
Last Updated on April 17, 2025 by Prath
Reviewed by April Justice, LICSW
- Published on 17 April 2025
Endless deadlines. A near-constant pressure to perform. The fear of falling behind. A virtually non-existent work-life balance.
If you’re a working-age adult, odds are you’ve experienced at least one, if not all, of the above.
Yet, despite dedicating themselves to the demands of the corporate world, many employees end up undervalued, underpaid and burnt out.
Millions of people around the globe struggle with workplace mental health issues, but don’t know where to turn for help.
However, the good news is that an increasing number of employers are realising the importance of improving employee mental health through workplace mental health programs such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
In this blog, we take a deep look at why mental health at work matters and explore initiatives that help support employee wellness.
This Article Contains:
Understanding the Need for Workplace Mental Health Programs
In the recent past, awareness about mental health has increased significantly, and the momentum is only on the rise.
But while we’ve become more vocal and accepting of mental health issues in our personal lives, there’s still one area of life where we vastly overlook them: the workplace.
Work isn’t just something that puts money in our pockets and food on our plates; it’s so much more. It’s where most of us spend roughly 30-40% of our day – it’s a significant part of our routine, identity and social life.
Just as an employee’s personal mental health issues can affect work, a toxic workplace can severely impact employee productivity and mental wellness.
That’s precisely why workplace mental health initiatives are, without a doubt, the need of the hour. They’re essential tools to foster healthier, more sustainable work environments that prioritise employee mental health.
Below is a quick list of reasons that showcase the increasing need for mental health support in the workplace:
- Mental health issues are rising steadily among working-age adults.
- Work-related stress, burnout and anxiety are some of the most commonly experienced concerns today.
- Social stigma prevents employees from seeking help on their own.
- The line between work and personal life is more blurred than ever.
- Workplace mental health issues, when left unaddressed, can lead to absenteeism, reduced productivity and higher employee turnover.
Factors that Affect Mental Health at Work
Workplace mental health issues don’t always result from major crises.
More often than not, they build up through everyday challenges that are easy to overlook.
Let’s look at some of the most common factors that cause poor mental health at work:
- Excessive workloads, unrealistic deadlines, and the pressure to work beyond hours can lead to chronic stress and eventual burnout.
- Micromanagement and a sense of loss of control over one’s work can cause frustration and decreased motivation.
- Fear of layoffs or lack of career progress may take a toll on employees’ emotional stability, sense of safety and self-worth.
- Unchecked bullying, favouritism or discrimination can lead to a toxic workplace.
- Lack of empathy, support or recognition from managers and those at the top can leave employees feeling isolated and undervalued.
- Absence of work-life balance and blurry work timings, especially in hybrid or remote settings, may lead to emotional exhaustion and disrupted routines.
- Lack of transparency, unclear expectations and inconsistent feedback can contribute to confusion, stress and disengagement.
A Quick Guide to TYHO’s EAP Services
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employer-sponsored services that aim to support employees’ mental, emotional and psychological well-being. These programs offer confidential, safe and accessible support for a range of mental health issues, be it personal or work-related.
EAPs and other proactive mental health initiatives help foster trust, belonging and psychological safety at work.
1) What Do EAPs Include?
EAPs typically provide various tools and services, such as mental health assessments, one-on-one counselling, support groups, workshops, etc.
At Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO), we help organisations improve employee mental health through the following EAP services:
a) Talk therapy
Structured one-on-one sessions with professional counsellors. Talk therapy provides employees with a safe space to process mental health challenges, such as burnout, anxiety or personal issues.
b) Empathy circles
Small group discussions facilitated by a trained therapist. Empathy circles encourage open dialogue and foster trust, connection and a sense of community.
c) Wellness seminars
Interactive learning sessions covering topics like stress management, conflict management, impostor syndrome, boundary setting, etc. These seminars equip employees with practical tools to use in their everyday work life.
d) Onsite support
In-person mental health support at the workplace, including therapy sessions and crisis management sessions. On-site initiatives help provide much-needed support during high-stress periods and after major changes or workplace crises.
e) Workshops
Skill-building sessions focusing on topics like psychological first-aid, effective communication, and managing setbacks. Spread over two days, these workshops include role-playing exercises and other interactive activities.
2) Key Features of TYHO’s EAP Services
If you’re an organisation or employer looking to improve your employee’s mental well-being, you’ve come to the right place!
Here’s a quick but comprehensive look at the core features of our EAP services:
a) Pay-as-you-use-services
At TYHO, we make it a point to have no lock-in contracts or administrative overhead fees for our EAP services. All you have to pay for is what you use – whether that’s a set of therapy sessions, a wellness seminar or onsite support.
b) Online services across the globe
Online mental health services are one of the most accessible forms of support you can provide your employees, especially those working remotely.
c) In-person sessions in Singapore & Malaysia
If you’re an employer based in Singapore or Malaysia, your employees can access same-day in-person therapy sessions at TYHO Therapy Rooms.
d) Real-time employee insights dashboard
Access anonymised data on service usage, common challenges, and demographics. You can also download custom reports for internal discussions or management reviews.
e) Carefully curated pool of therapists
At TYHO, we connect you with 100+ professional Therapists who speak multiple regional languages and offer diverse mental health services. We help ensure your employees get personalised mental health support at the workplace.
f) Single point of contact for dedicated support
We make the EAP process as easy and accessible as possible for you! With a dedicated SPOC, your HR team doesn’t have to go through multiple channels to manage EAP. Experience quick query resolution and same-day support through WhatsApp and Email.
Workplace Mental Health Initiatives Beyond EAP
While EAPs play a central role in improving employee mental health, they work best when paired with other ongoing initiatives that foster mental wellness and psychological safety as integral parts of your company culture.
If EAPs are the foundation, then aspects like empathetic leadership and day-to-day work environment are the bricks that shape the monument of long-term mental wellness.
Below are a few initiatives and activities that can help ensure workplace mental well-being in addition to EAPs:
- Mental health training & psychological first-aid training for managers
- Flexible work policies including hybrid/remote work modes, flexible hours, etc
- Dedicated mental health days
- Accessible and transparent grievance redressal mechanisms
- Peer support initiatives and support groups
- Regular mental wellness check-ins with managers
- Mandatory breaks throughout the day
Benefits of Mental Health Programs for Employees and Employers
A common misconception is that EAPs and other mental health initiatives don’t have an effect proportionate to the investment.
In reality, that statement couldn’t be further from the truth.
When an organisation genuinely prioritises employee mental well-being, the results are not just significant; they are long-standing.
Prioritising workplace mental health creates a ripple effect across the organisation, ranging from personal benefits to employees to an overall increase in employee morale and productivity.
The following section takes you through some common benefits of mental health programs for employees as well as employers.
1) How Workplace Mental Health Programs Benefit Employees
- Improved employee morale & emotional resilience
- Higher job satisfaction
- Better work-life balance
- Reduced instances of burnout
- Enhanced sense of belonging & workplace bonding
- Access to mental health tools & resources
- Positive & healthy work culture
2) How Workplace Mental Health Programs Benefit Employers
- Increase in employee productivity & morale
- Lower absenteeism
- Better employee retention
- Improved team dynamics & better collaboration
- Increase in employee engagement
- Strong sense of trust & safety at work
Conclusion
Mental wellness in the workplace is the cornerstone of a thriving organisation.
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are one of the most widely used means of corporate mental health support.
EAPs and other workplace mental health programs provide a wide range of benefits to both employees and employers.
However, it’s important to remember that workplace mental health initiatives benefit the organisation as a whole. The company shows that it cares, and in turn, the employees give back through increased productivity and loyalty.
In today’s corporate world of rushing to meetings and chasing deadlines, employee mental health is more relevant than ever.
If you’re an employer searching for the right EAP for your workers, book a demo with TYHO today!
Latest Articles
Recent Posts
- The Role of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in Workplace Mental Health
- How Long is Counselling? Long-Term Vs. Short-Term Counselling
- A Beginner’s Guide to Building Trust with Your Online Therapist
- Is Online Therapy Effective Compared to In-Person Therapy?
- How to Encourage Your Partner to Try Couples Counselling
