Someone to talk to

Find information about counselling, advice and therapy services for employees, including Able Futures, our employee assistance programme), and mental health first aiders.

Vita, our employee assistance programme (EAP)

Employee support service

Vita Health Group is our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider. Get access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.

Along with counselling and emotional support, Vita Health Group provides advice on a wide range of day-to-day practical issues such as:

  • relationships
  • work and careers
  • money management and debt
  • legal and financial advice
  • general family care

The support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Vita can help you navigate your way through life’s hurdles, along with a wide range of resources to support your wellbeing and resilience.

Support is available to all employees including temporary staff. You do not need a referral, but managers can refer a team member for a wellbeing check with appropriate consent. 

How to access the service

This is also open to family members or dependents in your household if they are over 16.

Freephone from UK landlines: 0800 111 6387. 

Calling from overseas: +44 845 330 5132.

Text phone users: dial 18001 followed by 0800 1116 387.

Manager support service

If you need advice or guidance on a matter affecting your team, Vita’s confidential coaches can help. 

Vita Health Group's free manager support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Get advice or guidance on a matters affecting your team from our confidential coaches can help, such as

  • responding to work pressure positively
  • conflict management
  • supporting diversity in the workplace
  • role playing a difficult conversation you need to have with a team member
  • recognising the signs of stress

How to access the service

Freephone manager support line: 0800 111 6385 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

Day 1 Intervention for Stress service

The Day 1 Intervention for Stress service is designed to support employees who have presented stress as a contributing factor for taking time off work.

Managers can refer employees to the service from the first day they are absent from work.

Find out more about the Day 1 Intervention for Stress service.

Digital Wellbeing Hub

The hub offers you early access to support and empowers you to manage personal and work-related issues swiftly including articles, videos and podcasts, visit the Vita Wellbeing Hub (my-eap.com). 

To log in to the service, you'll need the access code for Essex County Council employees (PDF, 68KB). 

Vita Health Group offer some enhanced benefits that set the EAP apart including:

  • guided self-help via a computerised CBT: A CBT Guided Self-Help platform (with over 30 targeted modules) supported by telephone sessions with a mental health practitioner
  • career coaching - Vita provide access to a one-hour telephone career coaching session per year to help you focus on your personal development
  • day one intervention for stress service - on learning of a stress related absence, a line manager can gain consent and make a referral to the EAP
  • monthly newsletter packed with valuable wellbeing insights, tips, and updates, ensuring you’re always connected to the latest resources to support your wellbeing

 

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