How Union Members Can Get Help
Union members who struggle with mental health or substance abuse issues often meet many challenges when seeking treatment. Mental health and addiction services for union members are more accessible through employee assistance and treatment placement services. Union First offers a variety of resources to union members to get the help they need while ensuring their union job is protected while seeking treatment.
Often, individuals who struggle with addiction or mental health disorders find it difficult to reach out for help due to stigmas surrounding these health issues. They may fear losing their union job due to their employer finding out about their disorder or taking an extended leave to get the necessary treatment. These concerns can make talking to an employer about needing help and how you can keep your job incredibly difficult.
Union members can get the help and advice they need through employee assistance services, such as Union First. Employee assistance services for union members are confidential and available 24 hours a day. Treatment placement specialists will analyze your mental health or substance abuse issue to give you personalized solutions, resources, and referrals to behavioral health services near you. They will also advise you on the rights afforded to you under federal and state laws and the necessary steps to take to ensure you keep your job, benefits, and salary when getting behavioral health treatment.
Are Union Members Eligible for Mental Health and Addiction Services?
Mental health and addiction treatment services for union members are highly encouraged. Showing up intoxicated to the workplace compromises workplace safety and testing positive for drugs or alcohol can mean losing your union job. Mental health disorders can also lead to decreased job performance and overall dissatisfaction in life.
Most unions in this country offer healthcare policies that support members with substance abuse or mental health conditions. Membership can offer better coverage for mental health and addiction treatment services for union members in comparison to non-unionized workers. Your union health insurance plan can cover a portion or all your behavioral health treatment costs.
However, many union members need to be made aware of the extent of their mental health coverage and their right to make use of it without workplace discrimination or losing their job. It can also be challenging to figure out where to go for help and the steps to take. Union First offers treatment placement services and other resources to union members as part of their dues and can help members figure out what services are covered by their insurance, match them with mental health and addiction treatment services in their area, and protect their job while in treatment.
Types of Mental Health Treatments and Therapies
Mental health and addiction disorders exist on a wide spectrum ranging from mild to severe. Behavioral health treatment is available to fit various needs, including inpatient and outpatient treatment services. As mental health problems can vary greatly from person to person, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health treatment; effective treatment begins with personalized programs.
Some types of mental health and addiction treatment and therapies include:
- Psychiatric hospitalization – a type of emergency care, psychiatric hospitalization can be involuntary or voluntary and is meant to stabilize a person who is having an acute, severe episode, such as being suicidal, experiencing hallucinations, or not sleeping or eating for days.
- Residential inpatient treatment – this type of treatment will include 24/7 care and is intended for those who have experienced relatively severe, long-term mental health or addiction symptoms. Treatment facilities will vary, but in general, you can expect individual psychotherapy, medication, group therapy, recreational therapies, and complementary therapies, such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture.
- Outpatient treatment – participants are not required to live at a treatment center but will receive structured treatment programs with similar therapies as inpatient programs such as individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and medications.
- Dual diagnosis treatment – these comprehensive treatment services are for those struggling with both mental health and addiction disorders. Dual diagnosis treatment will address both conditions simultaneously.
- Psychotherapy – also known as talk therapy, can effectively treat a wide range of mental health conditions. Various types of psychotherapy are available including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and EMDR.
- 12 Step programs and support groups – these groups do not offer medical supervision or professional therapy but can be greatly beneficial for those undergoing mental health and addiction treatment services for union members.
- Complimentary or alternative therapies – these forms of therapies are used in addition to traditional forms for therapy and meditation. Types of complementary treatment may include meditation, yoga, exercise, nutrition, and homeopathy.
The Ties Between Mental Health and Addiction
The link between mental health and addiction disorders has been long known. Research shows a strong correlation between the two and often, one can cause the other. Individuals with mental health disorders may use substance abuse to self-medicate negative emotions and symptoms. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use only exacerbates these symptoms after their initial effects wear off which may lead to more frequent substance abuse. Users can develop tolerance and dependence on drugs or alcohol, which are precursors to addiction.
Substance use disorders can also cause mental health disorders. Drugs and alcohol act on biochemicals in the brain responsible for mood and mental health. With continued drug or alcohol misuse, the brain can no longer regulate these biochemicals which can lead to the development of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders.
Job Protection for Union Members While Getting Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
Several state and federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, protect union members while getting mental health and addiction treatment. These labor laws prevent workplace discrimination based on mental health or substance use disorders and allow members to take adequate time off for treatment.
However, there are still many loopholes within these laws that employers can use to their advantage. Union First offers job protection services including expert advice from our team who know how to use these laws to ensure your job, salary, benefits, and more are secured when getting behavioral health treatment. We can guide you through the necessary steps to take and the paperwork to fill out, which eliminates many of these loopholes. Our experts are also available 24/7 to advise you if you feel your workplace rights have been violated.
Union First is Ready to Help Union Members Access Mental Health and Addiction Services
Our team members at Union First are ready to provide you access to the best mental health and addiction treatment services for union members. Attempting to deal with mental health or substance use disorders alone can be intimidating. Our treatment placement services can help you make the right choices for your health and match you with effective behavioral health treatment services in your area which meet your needs and take your union insurance.
We are committed to helping union members, public service employees, and their family members through times of crisis related to mental health or substance use disorders. Members will have access to the best treatment possible while also having peace of mind their job is protected.
If you or your family member are struggling with substance abuse or mental health, please call our 24/7 helpline at (855) 215-2023 now.