PHILADELPHIA –
Taking time to check in with your fellow colleagues is a major focus as National Mental Health Awareness Month begins.
“As Americans, we have a duty of care to reach out to one another and leave no one behind,” President Joseph R. Biden wrote in this year’s proclamation. “But so many of our friends, colleagues, and loved ones are battling mental health challenges, made worse but the isolation and trauma of COVID-19.”
As Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support civilian employees are returning to the worksite, there are various services available to assist them – some which are at no cost – through the Employee Assistance Program. Magellan Federal, a third-party firm, provides the counseling services, which in most cases are confidential.
“Our counselors are mandatory reporters in the instances of suspected: self-harm, harm of others, and child or elder abuse,” said Renee Dwornitski, the DLA field consultant for Magellan. “Counsellors also may be limited in terms of confidentiality should they be subpoenaed.”
By either calling 1-866-580-9046 and informing the technicians of your DLA Troop Support affiliation; accessing www.magellanascend.com and navigating the prompts; or by emailing Dwornitski, at dwornitskir@magellanfederal.com, employees can be connected to a variety of services including: counseling, work-life services and manager support.
“Everyone is so different, and it comes down to recognizing the unique circumstances of each person,” said Dwornitski. “You may want to consider challenging the thoughts that are coming up due to your concerns. By challenging those thoughts, you’re catching them when they arrive—you can’t control the fact that they are coming your way, but you can catch them.
“And then you can ask: is this thought helping me? Is it serving me now? What evidence do I have for or against it?” said Dwornitski. “It’s difficult to talk about it in general terms but in therapy it’s a little easier to address.”
Although field consultants like Dwornitski have the credentials to perform clinical duties—such as diagnosing mental health conditions—the counselling services provided through the EAP are non-clinical but, should the need arise, the counselee may be referred to a different provider for such treatment within the network of the counselee’s health insurance.
Renee Dwornitski is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania with more than 17 years of experience in the field of behavioral health. She has worked with various populations in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings.
For more information on the other services—such as in the areas of: adult care and aging; childcare and parenting; daily living; education; moving; pet ownership; pregnancy and adoption; relationships; and special needs—available through the EAP, please visit: www. Magellanascend.com