STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
HALEY BARBOUR, GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND
ADMINISTRATION
J. K. STRINGER, JR.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MEMORANDUM
To:
Personnel/Payroll Officers - Community/Junior Colleges, Public
Libraries, Public School Districts, State Agencies, and Universities
From:
Office of Insurance
Date: September 13, 2005
Subject:
Free Employee Assistance Program for Hurricane Katrina Victims
In addition to the
tremendous physical damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, stress and
depression are common by those affected by such a traumatic event.
Confusion, disorientation, and a sense of helplessness can also
accompany such feelings. These emotions can affect not only direct
victims but recovery workers as well. That’s where an Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) can help.
In an effort to assist those
participants of the Mississippi State and School Employees Health
Insurance Plan (Plan) that have been affected by Hurricane Katrina,
a free employee assistance telephone line has been
established by Intracorp, the Plan’s medical management vendor,
through CIGNA Behavioral Health. This service is available to
employees and their families who do not already have access to an
EAP through their employer.
By dialing toll-free
1-888-371-1125, affected employees, as well as their family
members, can speak directly with a behavioral health professional
for information and guidance related to their specific concerns. In
a caring and confidential manner, trained counselors will work with
participants to understand their needs, help them in organizing
thoughts and prioritizing actions, and will recommend appropriate
coping skills. In addition, counselors will be able to provide
callers with access to numerous other resources available, including
telephone numbers and web-site addresses for other appropriate
organizations. While many of these resources may be accessed
elsewhere, the opportunity for our participants and their family
members to speak directly with a trained professional regarding
specific problems can hopefully make a real difference in helping
them get through this painful period.
Please note that
this service will available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from now
until the end of October. Please also note that the counselors can
speak with children under the age of 18 only after receiving consent
from the parent or guardian.
We ask that you
please share this information with as many of your employees as you
can, and encourage them to take advantage of this free service.
OFFICE OF INSURANCE ● P.O. Box 24208 ●
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39225-4208 ● 601-359-3411 or 866-586-2781 ● FAX
601-359-6568
