The challenges created by the urgent need for preparedness, response, and recovery in the face of a threatened pandemic will require delivery mechanisms and strategies beyond any utilized to date. Experts have predicted that the negative ramifications triggered by the psychological implications of isolation, panic, loss of routine, grief, etc. could exceed those of the disease itself. Employers will benefit by providing employees with access to physical resources, pertinent information, structure, connectivity, the means to be productive, and emotional support. Obviously, behavioral health professionals will not be dispatched to meet with groups of employees so they can all infect each other! This interactive, multi-media presentation will identify and describe the phases, components, and clinical/business rationale behind a matrix-like plan to pandemic response that is consistent with evidence-informed best practices.




Participants will:

1. Identify some of the challenges that EAPs face in the various phases of pandemic preparedness, response, and recovery.

2. Learn innovative multi-component methods that will support the role that EAP's and behavioral health professionals will play in a Pandemic.

3. Examine the current literature and be able to explain why these strategies are consistent with evidence-informed best practices.