Benefits - March and April 2024

Colgate EAP Resources

BRiDGES EAP is a workplace benefit that provides assessment, referral, and short-term counseling to employees and their immediate family members. All callers will receive up to five free sessions per issue per year with an EAP professional for confidential support. 
BRiDGES is available by phone Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 315-697-3947.  
In-person, virtual, and phone sessions are available by appointment.  

Should you need assistance after 5 p.m. you can still  call  BRiDGES at 315-697-3947. You may leave a message and your call will be returned during regular business hours. Evening appointments are available by appointment only. In the event of a crisis Behavioral Health Telemedicine through Excellus and HigherED EAP are available 24/7, please see below to contact them. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

HigherEd EAP offers 24/7 access to counselors, extensive links, tools, and resources to help higher education personnel deal with professional challenges. To access this benefit, call the EAP at 1-800-252-4555 or log on to the website: www.higheredeap.com.

Behavioral Telemedicine (for those enrolled in Colgate’s health insurance plan), through a partnership with MDLIVE, allows you to schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist or therapist 24/7 via phone, tablet, or computer — wherever and whenever you need to. No 20% coinsurance imposed. 

Mental Health Support Group for Faculty and Staff
9 E. Kendrick St.
Wednesday, April 17 - 4:30–5:30 p.m.
We invite members of the faculty and staff to join Meika Loe (professor of sociology and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies) and Christine Moskell (senior instructional designer, ITS) for small group conversations around mental health and well-being as it relates to our professional lives in higher education. This effort stems from a session at the 2023 Core Pedagogy Retreat in which faculty and staff reflected on their mental health and well-being.*

*Meika and Christine are not mental health professionals, but resources to support mental health and well-being for all Colgate employees will be shared.

Telemedicine (1-866-692-5045) (for those enrolled in Colgate’s health insurance plan) 
Our doctors are always in. Get care in minutes, 24/7/365. Talk to a board-certified doctor in 15 minutes or less for trusted, reliable care whenever and wherever you need it. MDLIVE is your affordable alternative to urgent care clinics or the ER. No long waits, drive times, or germ-filled offices. See how MDLIVE visits work. 
MDLIVE board-certified doctors have an average of 15 years of experience and provide care for more than 80 common, nonemergency conditions, including: 

• Allergies       Insect bites       Sinus problems    
• Cold & flu     Pink eye            Sore throat        
• Ear pain        Prescriptions    UTIs
• Headaches    Rashes              and more
   

Madison County Mental Health Department (315-366-2327, option 1), The mental health department offers a crisis line 24 hours a day. You can call 315-366-2327 and press 1. During business hours, this line goes to office staff, where clients may ask to speak to an available clinician. Individuals are also seen at the office on an emergency, walk-in basis.

Stress is one of the main reasons our members turn to ESI EAP for coaching and counseling. Let's face it – we’re all living through stressful times! Short episodes of stress in difficult situations are normal but stress overload can be detrimental to our health. Stress is linked to diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, and other medical conditions.  

But remember: Your EAP is here for you! 

If things seem to be too much for you or a family member, ESI EAP offers a variety of stress management resources to our members, including:   

• 24-7-365 in-the-moment support from experienced Counselors via our helpline: 1-800-252-4555
• Telephonic one-to-one coaching programs in Stress Management & Resilience
• Resources at www.theEAP.com/Higher-Education-EAP
• Stress Management & Resilience Trainings 
• Financial coaching and help for managing debt related stress.
   

To access a Counselor or a Stress Coach, simply call 1-800-252-4555.  

To access online support resources, simply login at www.theEAP.com/Higher-Education-EAP.