Mayo Clinic expands mental health support through Employee Assistance Program

Mayo Clinic is strengthening its commitment to staff mental health by significantly expanding the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The enhanced program will provide staff and their families with greater access to free, high-quality mental health resources, both internally and externally.

"Our work as healthcare professionals can be both fulfilling and demanding," says Charanjit (Chet) Rihal, chair of Mayo's People and Culture Committee. "Mayo recognizes the importance of supporting our staff through both work and personal challenges. By expanding the EAP, we aim to provide free, convenient and effective mental health resources to help you thrive."

New services offered

Starting Nov. 1, all staff and immediate family members can take advantage of expanded offerings from Headspace, Mayo's new EAP partner. Headspace will replace Vital WorkLife and FEI Behavioral Health, Mayo's current EAP vendors.

With Headspace, you are eligible to receive eight free in-person or virtual counseling sessions per year. You can use the sessions for any work or personal issues.

Here's what to know:

• Access: Headspace EAP offers immediate virtual support through free resources, coaching or therapy and can connect you with face-to-face appointments nationwide if you prefer. Appointments are available 24/7, including for emergencies.

• Confidentiality: Headspace does not share any identifying information with Mayo Clinic about staff who use its services.

• Eligibility: All staff are eligible, regardless of benefits eligibility and location. Your immediate family members, including children as young as 6 years old, are also eligible.

• Cost: After eight free sessions, you can continue counseling with your same Headspace therapist, and it will be billed through your health plan. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Headspace EAP providers will be in-network through the Mayo Medical Plan. If you have a different health plan, Headspace will help you determine what services your plan covers and the anticipated out-of-pocket costs. Any co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles will apply according to the terms of your health plan.

• Other services: Headspace also offers unlimited live chat-based coaching with a behavioral health coach and a wide range of self-care resources about topics such as sleep and stress. Access to psychiatry services is also available, with visits billed through your health plan.

Added internal EAP option

Mayo is also adding more internal EAP counselors to support the two locations that don't yet have that option — Mayo Clinic in Florida and Mayo Clinic Health System. In addition to counseling, internal EAP resources provide organizational support and critical incident response.

"Your mental health is a top priority for us, and we've listened closely to your feedback," says Paula Menkosky, Mayo's chief human resources officer. "The expanded EAP will provide you with easier access to the support you need when you need it."

What to do next

Visit the Employee Assistance Program page on the Mental Health and Well-Being website to learn more about EAP services available to you.

Staff who use Vital WorkLife or FEI Behavioral Health can continue to do so until Dec. 31, at which time those services will sunset. You can download the Headspace app anytime on or after Nov. 1.

Q&A

What is Mayo's Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

The EAP is a service offered by licensed mental health clinicians to help address a variety of life and emotional health issues. It is voluntary, confidential and available at no cost to all staff and their families.

Mayo Clinic is increasing its options for staff mental health support through the EAP by expanding the internal EAP counseling team and by collaborating with Headspace, a new external EAP partner. Headspace will replace current external EAP vendors, Vital WorkLife and FEI Behavioral Health.

The internal EAP counseling team will continue to provide the same services and high-quality care in Arizona and Rochester while adding more internal EAP counselors to expand its support to staff in Florida and Mayo Clinic Health System.

Together, support options from the internal Mayo Clinic EAP counseling team and Headspace will form a comprehensive program to help staff and their families with mental health needs for both personal and work-related issues. The partnership between the internal team and Headspace will ensure staff have flexibility and choice in how they receive support.

Areas in which the EAP can support you include:

• Family relationships.
• Financial or legal issues.
• Alcohol or drug dependency.
• Workplace and vocational issues.
• Mental and emotional health.
• Eldercare issues.

What is Mayo Clinic's EAP counselor team?

Mayo has an internal EAP team of Mayo Clinic staff who are licensed mental health professionals. Currently, this program is available in Arizona and Rochester and will soon expand to support staff in Florida and Mayo Clinic Health System. Mayo EAP counselors can help you with work-related issues, emotional health, relationship concerns, grief, and substance addictions or other addictions. Seeking support through the Mayo counseling team gives you the opportunity to connect with someone who understands Mayo Clinic's culture, values and mission.

What is the Headspace EAP?

Starting Nov. 1, Headspace will be part of Mayo Clinic's EAP, offering a variety of services designed to help you thrive at work and in your personal life. Headspace will be easily accessible and available to support you with:

• Therapy sessions: Professional counseling to help you navigate personal and work-related challenges.
• Resources for work and life: Confidential, time-saving resources to help with financial stress, legal assistance, child and eldercare needs, and more.
• Text-based coaching: Personalized guidance to keep you engaged and proactive in your personal and professional growth.
• A library of self-care content, including programs and exercises for sleep, managing stress or anxiety, and an array of other needs.
• Access to psychiatry appointments that would be billed through your health plan. If you have the Mayo Medical Plan, Headspace psychiatric services are in-network. (Note that psychiatric services are not part of your EAP-covered therapy sessions.)

Who will be eligible to use Headspace?

All employees who receive a W-2 from Mayo Clinic and their spouses and dependent children, ages 6 and older, can use Headspace.

What is the difference between the internal EAP and Headspace?

Together, support options from the internal Mayo Clinic EAP counseling team and Headspace will form a comprehensive program to help staff and their families with mental health needs for both personal and work-related issues. The partnership between the internal EAP and Headspace ensures staff have flexibility and choice in how they receive support. See the diagram below for more details about the respective offerings.