usps military military members & veterans eap … · 2020. 9. 29. · veterans in the united...

CALL US TODAY: 800-327-4968800-EAP-4YOU | TTY: 877-492-7341

WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

USPS MILITARY MILITARY MEMBERS & VETERANS

EAP Resources for Military Employees

A resource in the promotion of EAP information and services to military employees provided by the USPS EAP


WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

The United States Postal Service

is one of the largest employers of

veterans and disabled veterans in

the nation.

Recent military efforts have resulted in the largest deployment of civilian soldiers since WWII. As one considers the thousands of casualties, the return to the stop-loss practice and repeated deployments in recent years, the life experience of the current military service men and women have challenges that are humbling to all.

Whether your military status is active duty, reservist or veteran, knowing the resources available to you and your family is important. An EAP counselor is prepared to provide information and resources specific to the types of issues a veteran may be dealing with at work and at home.

This guide is designed to provide you with information about the USPS EAP and how we can help support you as a veteran, a reservist returning from deployment or as a veteran coming into the USPS as a new employee. Inside are some strategies for dealing with both work and personal situations, and quick reference guide for resources about military benefits and support services.

In 2018, the Postal service hired 4,463 veterans,

adding to a total of 92,571. With a workforce of

600,000 - the percentage of veterans represent a

total number of career employees of 14.4%.

USPS MILITARY MILITARY MEMBERS & VETERANS INTRO


WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Table of Contents:EAP Services | 4

Find out how the EAP can help you and your family.

Pre-Deployment | 5

If you or a loved one has been called to active duty, this can be a very emotional and stressful time. This section provides some basic tips on how to prepare yourself and your family for a military leave.

Deployment | 6

When you or your loved one is away for service, staying connected with them as you are accustomed to can be a challenge. This section can help you anticipate the range of emotions you may experience.

Post-Deployment | 7

Transition back from military service can present some different challenges. There is a lot to catch up with and a new routine to establish. This section shares some tips on being successful in the process of reunion and reintegration.

Supporting Children | 8

No matter how well-prepared your child is for the separation, he or she may still have difficulty adjusting to the changes once a parent is gone and after they return. Find important things to be aware of in this section.

Workplace Satisfaction | 9

Returning to work from military service or beginning a job after military service is an adjustment. This section addresses tips on being successful with supervisors, co-workers and the work routine to maximize your sense of work satisfaction.

Financial Wellness | 10

Managing the family budget while your spouse or partner is away needs planning and so does your budget when they return. This section provides some helpful hints to keep you on top of your finances.

Suicide Awareness & Prevention | 11

This section discusses the way in which the USPS EAP wants to align with military branches and the Veterans Administration in supporting efforts to address Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Resource Information | 12

This section provides telephone numbers and internet sites for support groups, community resources and government agencies. A quick resource guide to make sure you have what you need at your fingertips.

USPS MILITARY MILITARY MEMBERS & VETERANS INTRO


WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Military Services

• Work Stress• Family Issues• Anxiety

• Grief/Loss• Elder Care• Parenting Issues

• Separation from Spouse• Return from Duty• Loss of a Fellow Solider

• Managing by Yourself• Getting Back to a Routine• Multiple Deployments

• Coping with Change• Relationship Problems• Depression

• Anger Management• Financial Concerns• Substance Abuse

The USPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides comprehensive EAP services to approximately 1.5 million covered lives. This number includes all postal employees and their eligible family members. For families with military members, the issues more close to home may be things like:

The Postal Service EAP is a confidential program that offers assessment, referral, short-term counseling and work/life coaching to USPS employees and their families. The EAP is designed to assist in the identification and resolution of personal, family and workplace concerns. Among other things, the EAP can help you with:

The EAP can help by providing short-term counseling to you individually, with your spouse and/or children, or all family members individually. Our EAP counselors will work with you to create a plan that you are comfortable with, designed to help you cope with your particular situation.

If a long-term counseling need is identified, the EAP counselor will work with you to find the best available outside treatment resource through your health insurance provider or with the Veteran’s Administration (VA). If you already receive counseling or mental health services from the VA, you can also always contact your EAP for information and referrals. And of course, the 24-hour, toll-free number, 800-327-4968 (800-EAP-4YOU) is available for crisis or consultation by you and your family.

USPS MILITARY MILITARY MEMBERS & VETERANS P 4


WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Pre-Deployment

Additional Preparations For You and Your Family to Consider:

If you have been called to duty, or anticipate that you might be, taking time to prepare yourself and your loved ones will ease the transition.

Start by having family discussions. As you communicate your thoughts and feelings about the deployment, be open and honest. This will encourage loved ones, especially children, to know that they can also talk about their questions and concerns.

Bring the family in for a session to talk about the pending deployment, express feelings and share how everyone can support each other. Learn more by calling or visiting us online.

Complete household maintenance. When the family car is tuned up, appliances are in good working order, and routine home maintenance is done, this can help give you and your family peace of mind.

Communicate with each other. Spend time often with your loved one to discuss the deployment and how both of you feel. Discuss expectations about how you may be able to communicate while away. Be familiar with available communication tools including phone, email, video chat, etc. If this is not a first deployment, review some coping tools that worked well the last time.

Organize documents and resources. Discuss where important documents are located, how monthly bills will be managed, and who to contact if there is a problem (attorney, financial planner, bank, etc.). Also, remember that the FMLA entitles eligible employees to leave for qualifying exigencies arising from a covered family member’s call to active duty.

Prepare a list of emergency contacts. Gather a list of contacts and telephone numbers and keep it handy; include the names and numbers of relatives, neighbors and friends; doctors and hospitals, etc., for use in case of emergency.

Ask for support. Get to know other military spouses who may understand what you are going through. Consider asking friends or family members to assist with dependent care arrangements and other responsibilities during the service member’s absence. It’s important for the ones at home to take a break now and then.

Focus on staying healthy. Keep up with regular medical and dental appointments. Self-care also includes good nutrition, adequate sleep, moderate exercise and time with friends.



WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

• Enrolling in school?• Pursuing a fitness program?

• Loss of energy or joy?• Losing patience with the kids?

• Connecting with other military families?• Seeking part-time or full employment?

• Taking up a new hobby?• Volunteering?

• Sleeping too much or too little?• Changes in appetite?

• Escaping with TV or internet?• Withdrawing from people?

Deployment

Skills to practice while your family member is deployed:

Service members, as well as their loved ones, face the

realities of being separated for a time. As challenging a

time as this can be for families at home, practicing skills to

keep you resilient will be an important way to stay positive

while separated from those we care about.

Stay busy & engaged with others. Time passes quickly when you are living an active life. Find something you enjoy doing. Set goals for tomorrow, next week and next month. Completing projects can give you a sense of satisfaction. Have you considered…

Be flexible. Consistency and routines can make deployment feel more stable and less stressful. But it’s also OK to use this time to try some new things and special rituals. Concentrate on what you can control and try not to dwell on matters that you can’t.

Don’t be afraid to talk about the service member. While they are gone, they are not forgotten. Sharing memories, looking at photos, and keeping them in the family conversation can make them feel closer.

Recognize when you are struggling. Some people find the dinner hour and Sunday afternoon the times when they miss their loved one the most. And everybody has an occasional “blue” Monday. But if your “blue” days are increasing in frequency, notice what is going on around you and within you such as:

Know that using alcohol & drugs as a remedy doesn’t work. Drinking does nothing to answer life’s problems. In fact, drinking may temporarily help you to relax and forget—but the problems are still there. Depression and substance abuse can creep up on you. If your favorite words have become “I can’t” you may want to talk to someone.

Remember that resources are available. Additional information, self-help tools and other resources are available online at EAP4YOU.com. For more info, help and support call your EAP. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide confidential assistance at no cost to you at: 800-327-4968 | (800-EAP-4YOU) | (TTY: 877-492-7341).



WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Returning Home

Service Members: Spouse / Signifi cant Others:

Tips for returning service members and their signifi cant others.

Call a counselor at 800-327-4968 | TTY: 877-492-7341 to discuss coping with changes or unexpected emotions. Your USPS EAP is here to support you and your family as you re-establish a lifestyle routine.

Visit EAP4YOU.com for more information.

Remember that adjusting to being home is a process. Each person is different in how they handle the reunion phase. It is normal to feel both excited and apprehensive.

Show interest and pleasure in how your family members have grown in your absence. Let them know you are proud of them. Comment on new skills and positive changes.

Expect it will take a little time to become re-acquainted with your spouse. Be sure to tell them how much you appreciate all they did while you were away. Make an effort to do little romantic things--a single rose, or a card that shows them they are in your thoughts.

Resist the temptation to criticize. Remember that your spouse has been doing her or his best to run the household single-handedly and care for the children while you were gone. Give them credit for their efforts, even if their way of doing things is different from yours.

Practice patience and be fl exible. Go easy on child discipline-get to know what new rules your spouse may have set and talk about how to parent going forward.

Make time to connect with your family. Your spouse and each child needs individual time and attention from you. Remember, even though they missed you, they may not show it right away. It’s okay to ask for some space if you need it. Take things at a comfortable pace.

Celebrate the return. Help children make a welcome banner, have a special meal or other family ritual that marks this important event. Remember, spending time is more important than spending money.

Ask the service member what they most need. Time together helps the returning spouse to get back into the rhythm of family life, but they may also need some personal space. Slowly build up to spending more time together and notice what topics may be diffi cult to talk about.

Be patient and tolerant with your spouse. New experiences during deployment may bring changes to attitude and outlook for both of you, and that’s normal. Some days may be harder than others. Give yourselves time to get reacquainted. You’ve been used to being the responsible adult on your own, and now you want to get back to handling things together.

Stay involved in your own activities and interests. At the same time, it is important to be fl exible about making time for your spouse. Consider fi nding ways to include them in your new activities and encourage them to pursue interests of their own.



WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Remember, family members are eligible for EAP services, even while you are deployed. Your children can attend an EAP session with a parent or individually. An EAP counselor will help you determine what would be most useful.

Suggestions for parents:

Supporting ChildrenIt is important to know that most children are resilient and learn a great many life

skills as they go through the realities of having a parent who serves in the military.

That said, children look to their parents for cues to gauge their own reactions

during stressful situations such as family separation during deployment. Here are

some suggestions to help you ease the impact on your children.

Tell the truth. Younger children may think their parent is leaving because of something they did, and it’s important for them to understand this is not true. Kids need to know that this is their parent’s job.

Assure them they are not alone. Assist children in finding a support group with peers who have parents deployed in the military. It may be helpful for children to know that others are sharing a similar experience.

www.militaryonesourceconnect.org

Help them understand why. A statements such as “your parent is at work or on assignment” is helpful to communicate to children why they need to be away. Continuous communication is also vital to calm fears regarding abandonment.

Keep a normal schedule and routine. Although it is a change to have a parent away for a while, other things such as bedtimes, mealtimes and homework routines do not need to be disrupted.

Give them a time frame. Use a calendar to note the days a parent will be gone. Be sure to inform children when their parent is coming back. If the expected return will be delayed, tell the children as soon as you know.

Help them visualize. Show them on a map where there parent is. Do this even if their parent is close by. You can use different color flags to demonstrate where their parent has been and where he or she is now.

Help children stay in touch with their parent. Sharing pictures, letters and drawings empower a child and allow them to express themselves. If possible, have them participate in video chats and electronic communications as well so that they can “see” and speak with their parent while they’re away.

Be an emotional safety net. Recognize when the child seems to be especially missing the service member. Reassure them that the deployed parent is thinking of them often and loves them very much.



WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Workplace SatisfactionLike other areas of your life, your work

environment may be somewhat different when

you return. Whether you are returning to your

former workplace or starting a career with the

Postal Service, maximizing your sense of work

satisfaction can assist you with reintegration.

Below, you will notice that many of the skills

that made you successful while deployed will

also help you to thrive at work.

Know the mission. The organization has an overall mission and you should know what that is. Keep in mind that your supervisor may have a specifi c part of that mission that you and your team can contribute to.

Understand the culture. Every workplace has its own culture made up of spoken and unspoken rules and practices. Observe, and ask questions to help you fi t in.

Be a good team member. Work is often compared to a sports team but it can also be similar to a military unit. Looking out for your team members, especially during periods where work pressure is intense can ensure that they will also “have your back” in return when given the opportunity.

Communicate effectively. Be clear and courteous in your verbal and written communications. Be open to giving and receiving constructive feedback with the goal of sharing information and improving the workplace.

If you are the boss... Having employees who report to you is an opportunity for you to serve them. Treat them how you would want to be supervised and let them know they are appreciated.

Veterans in the United States Postal ServiceThe United States Postal Service has a long history of providing career opportunities to veterans, reservists and their family members. It values the leadership, reliability and high-tech skills veterans can bring to the organization, as well as their loyalty and integrity. The USPS recruiting team recruits nationwide and year-round. The hiring events are great opportunities for you to visit and ask specifi c questions about the Postal Service. USPS proudly supports local and national veteran outreach organizations to help United States Veterans fi nd a secure and stable career with the Postal Service.



WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Financial Wellness


Managing personal finances is important for the well-being

of every family. Military families face additional challenges

when planning for their financial future, especially when

service members are deployed. Here are some tips and

resources for you to utilize to improve financial stability for

you and your family.

Make an Emergency Fund a PriorityExperts recommend a savings account equal to 3-6 months of income, and for service members facing deployment, even more is suggested. Finding ways to cut costs and being disciplined in setting aside a portion of each paycheck to fund this account will give you a cushion should an unexpected expense arise.

Financial HousekeepingDesignate a spouse or a trusted family member as a Power of Attorney to handle your financial transactions while you are deployed. Your base legal office provides assistance with setting this up. Review and update insurance policies by confirming that beneficiaries are designated and check to see if any special benefits apply to military members while deployed. Gather Information about all of your financial obligations including account numbers and contact information for those who will be managing those accounts. Notify your Power of Attorney, any lenders, creditors and other financial institutions that you are being deployed.

Take Advantage of Financial GainsWhen you factor in the possibility of tax-free income and other allowances, deployment may actually provide a boost to your family finances. It is wise to have a plan for this extra income. Consider adding it to your emergency savings account or using it to pay down credit card debt or loans.

Use A BudgetBe clear and courteous in your verbal and written communications. Be open to giving and receiving constructive feedback with the goal of sharing information and improving the workplace.

Financial Resources for Service Members

Department of Defense Military Saves – A network of federal agencies and nonprofit organizations that encourage service members and their families to reduce debt, build savings and set financial goals.

Military One Source – MilitaryOneSource.mil/financial-legal or 800-342-9647.

The Military Wallet – themilitarywallet.com/about/ is a personal finance and benefits website for military members, veterans and their families. Podcasts and articles contain information on personal finances with the goal of assisting the military community to better manage money and understand the variety of programs and benefits available to them.


WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Suicide Awareness and PreventionEvery suicide is a tragic loss to a military unit, a family and the community. Veteran suicide rates remain higher than the rest of the population, especially among women. The Department of Veterans Affairs has reported that since 2014 an average of 20 veterans died as a result of suicide each day. Suicide has now surpassed deaths from combat. The USPS EAP wants to align with military branches and the Veterans Administration in supporting efforts to address Suicide Awareness and Prevention.


What We Know: Know the Warning Signs:

Prevention is Everyone’s Job:

The sometimes invisible pain that leads a person to contemplate suicide or to take action that results in harm to themselves, is often not shared openly with anyone. As we learn more about the causes of this pain, and pay increased attention to the warning signs, it is hoped that those suffering in silence, and those that love them, will come to speak up, reach out and accept help.

Here are common symptoms. Keep in mind that a person may have one or several of these signs.

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

• Looking for information on how to harm themselves

• Owning a firearm or buying one

• Talking about being a burden to others

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Seeming anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

• Withdrawing or isolating themselves

• Irritability or showing rage

• Extreme mood swingsThe keys to survival are communication and knowing the warning signs of suicide. Talking with someone, being there for them and listening to their answer when you ask, “How are you doing?” Never be afraid to ask “Have you been thinking about suicide?” Research shows that this question does not “cause” someone to take action; rather, it gives them a way to ask for help. Everyone can assist in the prevention of suicide in regard to our military members and veterans.

• USPS EAP: 800-327-4968 | TTY: 877-492-7341

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-TALK

• Options for Deaf & Hard of Hearing: 800-799-4889

• Stop Soldier Suicide: stopsoldiersuicide.org

• United We Heal: mission22.com

• U.S. Dept of Veteran’s Affairs: mentalhealth.va.gov

Utilize Available Resources:


WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

Resource Information:Your military branch has undoubtedly provided you with information and support services for a variety of issues and needs. This resource list is for your convenience and is part of the EAP commitment to provide information to help employees focus on their personal wellness. The following are phone numbers and where applicable, key words to do your own internet search for a particular resource or others like it.

Veterans Benefits:

Department of Veteran’s Affairs – 800-827-1000 – Survivors Benefits

VA Health Care Benefits – 877-222-8387 – Health Care Benefits

General Veteran’s Information:

Military OneSource is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-342-9647. Whether its help with child care, personal finances,

emotional support during deployments, relocation information or resources needed for special circumstances, Military

OneSource is there for military personnel and their families. Military OneSource is provided by the Department of

Defense (DoD) at no cost to Active Duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

802-296-6300 – The PTSD information line. This info line can also help you link to their on-line site, which aims to

advance the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. Veterans through research, education and training on PTSD and

stress-related disorders.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention hotline and indicate you are a veteran. You will be immediately connected

to VA suicide prevention and mental health professionals. Call the suicide hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Take a Self-

Check Quiz at www.vetselfcheck.org

Fisher House “Home Away From Home”

Supporting American’s military in their time of need by providing “a home away from home” that enables family

members to be close to a loved one during a hospitalization. You can contact them at: 888-294-8560.

Military Family Support:

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the official DoD website for reliable quality of life information designed to help troops and their

families, leaders and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, this site can

provide helpful information.



WWW.EAP4YOU.COM

A PROGRAM YOU CAN TRUST.

Your USPS EAP offers assessment,

referral, short-term counseling and

work/life coaching and consultation

to postal service employees and

their family members. Getting help is

easy, convenient and confi dential.*

Call 800-327-4968 (800-EAP-4YOU)

to speak with an EAP representative

or visit the website EAP4YOU.com

anytime. Crisis counseling is always

available to ensure that you get the

help you need, when you need it.

* EAP counselors have master’s degrees and are licensed professionals. Your privacy is protected by strict federal and state confi dential-ity laws and regulations and by professional ethical standards for counselors. Information you share with the EAP may not be released to anyone without your prior written consent, except as required by law (e.g. when a person’s emotional condition is a threat to him or herself or others, or there is suspected child or elder abuse) or the issuance of a court order upon a showing of good cause.

usps military military members & veterans eap … · 2020. 9. 29. · veterans in the united...

Documents