Apheideo Associates

Employee Counselling and Welfare Support

"Experience and Expertise"

Apheideo Associates, a workplace counselling team and consultants in employee counselling, have been providing employee counselling and welfare support to the employees of a wide range of organisations since January 2003. It is our mission to provide expert mental health and welfare support in the workplace.

Wishing all our clients, colleagues and friends...

...a happy and peaceful Christmas

Christmas is meant to be a time for celebration and joy, but for many people, the festive period can be extremely difficult. Feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation are common at this time of year, especially for those who are living alone or away from their family. With the Coronavirus preventing many people from seeing their loved ones this Christmas, it’s more important than ever to practice good self-care.

How does Christmas affect mental health?

Christmas can be a difficult time for many people. Society puts a lot of pressure on people over the festive period to have a ‘perfect Christmas’, and to be happy. This just isn’t possible for everyone. At a time of year when everyone is meant to be celebrating, those who are dealing with negative emotions can find themselves increasingly isolated, making their pre-existing issues even worse.

While many of us enjoy spending time with family over the festive period, many people don’t have any close family, or come from unhappy homes. This can lead to them becoming seriously isolated and lonely. Even those who do have close family may struggle with these commitments due to depression, anxiety, or may have experienced trauma related to the festive season.

Christmas can also be very challenging for people coping with addictions. The amount of alcohol and food that is available and relentlessly advertised during the festive season can be problematic for those with alcohol addiction or eating disorders. They may find themselves acting on their addictions as a coping mechanism to deal with the stresses brought on by the holidays.

How can I manage my mental health at Christmas?

The first step to being able to effectively manage your mental health at Christmas is to identify what aspect is causing you to worry or stress. For example:

Are you anxious about being with family?
Do you find the preparations stressful?
Are you feeling lonely as you don’t have any want to speak to?

Identifying to root of your concern will help in trying to find a solution to your problems. If you are struggling to put your finger on the specific cause, it’s always best to talk it over with someone.

If you find yourself in need of help and a conversation, don't hesitate to contact us at the details below. If we can't help we can signpost you to someone who will.

Coronavirus - keeping safe

Apheideo Associates are wholly committed to the Public Health Agency's advice on dealing with COVID-19 and will observe the recommended protocols. On the following Services page (on the menu tab above or click on the link) you can read about our arrangements in continuing to provide employee counselling and welfare services and keeping employees and practitioners safe. Including the guidance 'Catch it, Bin it, Kill it' and hand washing guidance, we will ensure that our office is frequently cleaned and disinfected in accordance with PHA advice.

Everyone can also help stop COVID-19 spreading by:

Avoiding touching your face and washing your hands as soon as you get home.

If you go outside stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people.

Remember, you can spread the virus even if you don't have symptoms.

The Stormont Assembly Executive's advice as of 29th November 2021...

The Executive’s message for every person is to make safer choices that will protect you, your family, the wider community and the health service. Every step counts. As well as taking up the vaccine and working from home where possible, the executive is asking everyone to:

Limit your social contacts – this will minimise opportunities for the virus to spread.
Meet outdoors where you can – it’s safer than meeting indoors.
If meeting indoors, make sure the space is well ventilated – good ventilation is critical in reducing risk of transmission when indoors.
Wear a face covering in crowded or indoor settings – face coverings remain a vital mitigation and it is critical that people continue to use them in all circumstances where they are required.
Keep washing your hands or use a sanitiser.

Keep up to date with the latest advice from the PHA website: www.pha.site/coronavirus

Helpful information on our services page regarding Covid-19

Changing the landscape...

It's clear that EAP's will continue to play a key role in supporting the psychological recovery of the workforce across the four nations as the Covid-19 threat continues...

Therapy Today, November 2020

NI EXECUTIVE GUIDELINES...

The residue of trauma left behind...

Undoubtedly, these are testing times, and some key workers are exposed to incidents that you would not ordinarily have to deal with. A traumatic reaction happens when you lose the sense of having a safe place to retreat to and find yourself ruminating about frightening emotions or experiences. This leads to a state of helplessness where you feel that your actions have no bearing on the outcomes for your life. If that becomes the case, you need to talk to someone. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for a chat. Any of employee counselling team will be happy to provide you with support.

Keep safe and keep well.

The Vital Role of Counselling (Natalie Bailey, Chair BACP)

“The role of professional therapists is now more important than ever as people come to terms with the mental health impact of illness, bereavement, isolation, insecurity, changing work and family circumstances and general anxiety at such an uncertain time.

Many counsellors and psychotherapists are already playing a vital role on the front line of this epidemic, supporting the most vulnerable people, including medical staff and other key workers who are struggling with their own mental health.

“As the crisis grows, the need for urgent therapeutic support will only increase and professional therapists will also be critical in the longer-term, in rebuilding the fabric of the nation and helping people to return to normality."

What our customers are saying...

The Chief Executive of a Council in Northern Ireland commenting on a reduction in sick absence from 15.4 days a year to 5.8 days credited Apheideo Associates with "providing support that directly reduced sick absence - specifically long-term sick absence".

Get in touch!

Address

Apheideo Associates

Regus Business Centre

Forsyth House

Cromac Street

Belfast BT2 8LA

Contact

07921501299
02890511360
[email protected]

www.apheideoassociates.co.uk

Hours

Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Out of hours:

Call us by 'phone