ICAS bases the quality and utility of an EAP on a business systems approach that comprises three stages of prevention:
1. Primary prevention:
Strengthening consciousness of and improving the ability to deal with stress-related risks and health-burdening deficits in one’s private life and in the business. Introduction of general measures for disseminating knowledge and prevention, e.g. seminars on topics dealing with mental health.
2. Secondary prevention:
The early prevention of stress-related health and performance losses, in order to prevent time-and cost-intensive treatment measures. Here, to guarantee effectiveness, the support offerings must be easy to access, highly professional and absolutely confidential. In this regard, telephonic counseling is the most important and effective element.
3. Tertiary prevention:
More serious health losses with a strongly reduced ability to perform and/or threatening or already occurred disability require treatment, usually in the form of personal discussions with a psychotherapist. In many cases, persons who need treatment at this level should have used secondary prevention, in order to avoid emotional and psychic suffering.
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| Fig.: The earlier use is made of the EAP services, the lower the risk for presenteeism and personal restrictions such as impaired health and decreased capacity by the employees. For the business, early prevention brings an increase in productivity and a reduction in costs. |
