The Components and Impact of Stigma Associated with EAP Counseling

A survey involving two distinctly different organisations was conducted to examine the impact of stigma on the propensity to self-refer for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counseling. Results indicated that support for EAP counseling ‘per se’ was high provided it was for someone else! Stigma associations were present across both organisations in varying degrees depending on population demographics. Suggestions for reducing stigma associations are provided via a refinement of EAP educational briefings.