Aviva is partnering with Care First to offer access to its ‘EAP In Your Pocket’ app, which will be available to Aviva’s new and existing Group Income Protection clients from 1st January 2017.
The app, which claims to be the world’s first EAP app to include a clinically proven, digital proactive prevention tool for stress and anxiety, has been developed as a treatment and prevention tool for conditions such as anxiety and depression. It uses computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) and mindfulness techniques to teach the user how to build emotional resilience.
The app has been developed with Thrive Therapeutic Software and combines Care First’s counselling and wellbeing services and a tool called ‘Stress Free Island’ that gives users techniques to manage the pressures and stress of day-to-day life. Users can track their mood over time and receive help to boost their coping mechanisms.
Other services include Care First Lifestyle, an information resource containing information, advice, articles and webinars on issues including relationships, child and eldercare, bereavement and consumer rights, an interactive budgeting calculator and a wellbeing assessment tool.
Care First Counselling gives 24/7 access to Care first’s BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Accredited counsellors; contactable directly from the app for support, on the telephone, face to face, real time online or video chat.
Care first Information Services gives access to information specialists, contactable directly from the app to help uses finding practical ways forward.
Aviva managing director of group protection Steve Bridger says: “EAP services are extremely valuable, offering support to people in all areas of their lives, whether it’s pressure at work, a relationship breaking down or money worries. Having convenient and easy access to instant support on your smartphone should help drive up the number of people who access these fantastic services.
“People can use their phones to access their banking, instant message friends on the other side of the world and watch live TV – it’s only right that they can now access important support services and information when they need them most.”
Care First director Lesley Davidson says: “Care first has always been at the forefront of EAP developments. Care first’s ‘EAP In Your Pocket’ will give Aviva’s customers digital access to the first EAP app which has been clinically proven to be effective in preventing, detecting and treating common mental health problems.”