(800) 777-4114 1

Mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thinking, perception, and behavior.

If these disturbances significantly impair a person’s ability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines, then he or she should immediately seek proper treatment with a mental health professional. With the proper care and treatment, a person can recover and resume normal activities.

Many mental illnesses are believed to have biological causes, just like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, but some mental disorders are caused by a person’s environment and experiences.

Common Misconceptions About Mental Illness:

WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?

What’s in your Spring Newsletter

What is Mental Illness ................................. 1

First Choice Health Updated Website .......... 2

10 Helpful Habits to Boost Your Brain Health ........................................ 2

Plan Your Week in 30 Minutes (or Less) ................................................... 2

Online Work Life Resources ........................ 3

Welcome New Groups! ............................... 3

Please Welcome Our New EAP Director ....................................... 4

Don’t Forget About the Home Ownership Benefit ...................................... 4

Myth: “Young people and children don’t suffer from mental health problems.”

Fact: It is estimated that more than six million young people in America may suffer from a mental health disorder that severely disrupts their ability to function at home, in school, or in their community.

Myth: “A person who has had a mental illness can never be normal.”

Fact: People with mental illnesses can recover and resume normal activities.

Myth: “Mentally ill people are dangerous.”

Fact: The vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent. In the cases when violence does occur, the incidents typically result from the same reasons as with the general public, such as feeling threatened or excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs.

Myth: “People with mental illnesses can work low-level jobs but aren’t suited for really important or responsible positions.”

Fact: People with mental illnesses, like everyone else, have the potential to work at any level depending on their own abilities, experience and motivation.

For more information on mental illness or health, please contact the EAP to speak to a counselor at (800) 777-4114 or visit our website at www.FirstChoiceEAP.com.

Employee Assistance ProgramOne Union Square600 University Street, Suite 1400Seattle, WA 98101(800) 777-4114www.FirstChoiceEAP.com

Spring 2011 - EAP Newsletter

Plan Your Week in 30 Minutes (or less)Experts say that you need only 30 minutes, maybe even less, to plan your entire week. How do you do this? Just follow the OATS formula.

• O: Objectives. Ask yourself what results do you want to see by the end of the week? Write them down and rank them.

• A: Activities. What do you need to do to achieve your goals? List the necessary activities, and put them in sequence.

• T: Time. How much time will each activity require? To plan realistically, allow yourself more time than you think you will actually need. This gives you flexibility if unexpected problems develop.

• S: Schedule. Look at your calendar and decide when you can do each activity. Most people underestimate the power of a schedule, but you won’t get anything accomplished if you don’t schedule time to do it.

Adapted from President’s Newsletter

10 Helpful Habits to Boost Your Brain Health

Spring 2011 - EAP Newsletter

(800) 777-41142

Beginning mid-April 2011, we will be launching our redesigned website (www.fchn.com). First Choice Health has four core business units: a PPO Network (FCH PPO), Third Party Administrator (FCHA), Medical Management (FCH MM), and newly defined First Choice Health Assistance Services (FCH AS). Your EAP services remain unchanged, however we are now calling our business unit that provides your services “First Choice Health Assistance Services (FCH AS).”

The redesigned website will have a new look and feel, improved user navigation and more streamlined access to public and secure EAP tools and resources. When you navigate to www.FirstChoiceEAP.com you will be directed to the appropriate EAP section of our FCH website. Secure pages will be accessible through the user bar in the upper right-hand corner of every page of the FCH website. You may use your current EAP login information from any page.

For questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact us at (800) 777-4114.

Everyone can maximize his or her brain health. Living an active life – resisting the siren call of the couch and the remote control – is your best bet for staying sharp. Here are ten more brain-boosting activities:

1. Walk and talk: Find a walking partner, study a topic, and discuss it on your walks. You’ll get mental stimulation, physical exercise, and social connection – the key brain strengtheners.

2. Vary your routine: Try a different grocery store. Join a new gym club. Novelty stimulates new neural connections.

3. Get smart: Be a lifelong learner, and don’t dabble. If you decide to study a new language, sign up for as many classes as you can fit in your week.

4. Play: Pick games with several levels of difficulty, to master one

by one. For quicker thinking, try to beat the clock.

5. De-stress: Meditation, yoga, a walk in the park – focus your mind and relax. This could help build clearer memories.

6. Sleep: Your brain is active when you are asleep – it is consolidating memories from your day. Skip the late show and give your brain time to process.

7. Imagine: Include creativity in your day. Paint, write a journal entry, visit new websites, or build your own.

8. Party: Socialize and make new friends. Don’t be a loner – it can lull your brain into slowdown mode.

9. Eat right: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish will help keep oxygen flowing to the brain.

10. Watch your numbers: Work with your primary care physician or call the EAP at (800) 777-4114 for tips on how to keep your stress level down or maybe time management suggestions.

No product can build extra brainpower instantly or effortlessly. But with challenging new habits, you can make your mind steadily sharper and stronger – now and for the rest of your life.

The AARP Magazine, March/April 2010

We listened to your feedback and have redesigned our website to address your concerns and needs!

Updated Website!

Spring 2011 - EAP Newsletter

(800) 777-41143

Employee Assistance Program

Balance in Life.www.FirstChoiceEAP.com

(800) 777-4114

Online Work Life ResourcesOur self-serve menu of learning tools, information and resources on various topics, ranging from infancy to adolescence to adulthood to senior living, is available 24/7 at:

www.FirstChoiceEAP.com

Click on the Work Life Resources button and enter your Username and Password. To obtain your login information, contact the EAP at (800) 777- 4114.

Upcoming Work Life Webinars The EAP offers a monthly schedule of upcoming webinars for 2011 that are available to you and your covered family members free of cost. Each month offers a different introductory webinar on various Work Life topics.

To access monthly webinar, please follow these steps: • Go to www.FirstChoiceEAP.com• Click ‘Work Life Resources’• Enter username & password • Scroll page down to find ‘Online Seminars’ towards the bottom of the page and

look for a named webinar to register

Please log on to learn more about each online webinar. Each monthly webinar is also archived about ten days after the presentation date and can be accessed at your own convenience. If you have misplaced or forgotten your log-in information, you can contact the EAP at (800) 777- 4114.

Apr INSOURCING Developing internal talent

Developing Job Skills April 19th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

May MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS The importance of sleep

Let’s Sleep on It May 17th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Jun FACING THE LOSSES OF AGINGThe realization of aging

Adjusting to the Process of AgingJune 21st at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Jul LITTLE STEPS - BIG IMPACTAttainable ways to go green

Trash Talk July 19th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Aug PART OF THE EQUATIONParental involvement in education

Parents Taking Action August 16th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Sep FEAR OR FICTIONSeparating rumor from reality

Information Overload: Navigating Through the ChaosSeptember 20th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Oct CO-WORKERS CO-EXISTENCE Embracing differences in the workplace

The ABCs of Working With the XYZsOctober 18th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Nov HOME ADDITIONManaging an addition to the household

High-Impact ParentingNovember 15th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Dec ANSWERS TO LIFE’S GREATEST QUESTIONS Honing your research skills

Tune-Up Your Search EngineDecember 20th at 9am, 11am and 1pm PST

Welcome new Groups!• ASI/Music-Vend Distributing Co.

• Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound

• Chasing Fireflies

• Clarkston School District

• Complete Office

• Haury’s Lake City Collision

• Humphreys Diabetes Center

• Jackovich Industrial

• La Mexicana

• McFabco Steel Corporation

• Mercer Island School District

• Nova School

• Real Change

• Samaritan Healthcare

• Seattle Bronze Company

• Seattle Children’s

• Shoemaker Manufacturing

• TwinStar Credit Union

• Villa Academy

• Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation

(800) 777-41144

One Union Square600 University Street Suite 1400Seattle, WA 98101www.FirstChoiceEAP.com

EAP Newsletter Spring 2011

Dave Mitchell, MA, LMHC

Dave joined our EAP team in February 2011. He comes to us with over 30

years of clinical and consulting experience that includes developing, directing and providing EAP services to a variety of companies. He also has an extensive background in Critical Incident Stress Management. He is a Master-level Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington state and earned his degrees from Washington State University.

Please Welcome OUR NEW EAP DIRECTOR

Don’t Forget About the Home Ownership BenefitThe Home Ownership program is an added service to the EAP that is also free of cost to all employees and family members.

This program assists those who are looking to buy, sell or refinance their homes. Services can also include comprehensive moving services, area tours and information on relocation. The program is designed to assist you at all levels, whether it be a first home or investment opportunity. The Home Ownership benefit is available nationwide. There is NO OBLIGATION for any services that are provided through this program.

Like the EAP, the Home Ownership program is 100% confidential and free of cost and your information will not be placed on calling/mailing lists. For more information about this free program through the EAP, call us at (800) 777-4114.

24/7(800) 777-4114