The Behavioral Health Access Program (BHAP)

Resources on this page are available for all employees, full & part time, their family and eligible retirees. If you have any questions or need assistance, email nina.taxis@copbfl.com.

About

BHAP was adopted to improve the overall wellness of our workforce, their families and our retirees. An important component of overall health is mental health and that is the focus of BHAP. This is a comprehensive program offering free mental health services to first responders and general employees, their family members living within the household and retirees. The BHAP program includes peer support, chaplaincy support, critical incident stress management, copay-free counseling sessions through EAP or Florida Blue, family support, and mental health education and resiliency training. In addition, the city offers free access to a Health & Wellness coach because exercise helps to promote physical wellness as well as mental wellness.

Outreach Resources Page

Guidance Support Page

Benefits may include:

• A reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress
• Quicker return to a productive functioning state
• Increased job satisfaction
• Reduced worker’s compensation claims
• Reduced absenteeism
• Reduced errors
• Enhanced group cohesion
• Increased personal confidence
• Extended longevity

Extensive training is offered to employees to cover common mental wellness needs. Select employees will serve in a Peer Support position and are trained to know the signs and symptoms of stress, ways to create a positive work culture, and have knowledge of wellness policies. Peer Support Team members are trained to create a trusting environment where employees know that sensitive information is held in the strictest of confidence.

Leaders are encouraged to be accessible and open to supporting employees with mental wellness issues or concerns. In addition, they are trained to exercise empathy and concern for employees who divulge their mental wellness concerns and refer employees to support options within the BHAP program, including EAP, BCBS Clinicians and Chaplaincy.

Health Advocate, our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP), will help link you or a family member with a clinician either telephonic, virtual, or face-to-face. The EAP plan covers 5 FREE confidential visits per member of household per issue for the calendar year. If you need continued treatment beyond the 5 free visits, Health Advocate will assist in finding a provider who will accept your medical insurance.

Call Health Advocate at 877-240-6863 or email: answers@HealthAdvocate.com or visit this page.

If you are a full-time employee, covered with Florida Blue, you will be connected with a Florida Blue Clinician and can call 1-800-352-2583.

meQ is a digital mental well-being program offered by Florida Blue. Join now to get a private dashboard with personalized steps you can take that will lead to a better outcome tomorrow. Sign up HERE!

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is an integrated method used to support employees in mitigating the effects of stress and trauma. A crisis or critical incident may create a need for support for first responders, because of their line of work and daily exposure to challenging and stressful situations or for any individual or group experiencing a stress reaction following trauma.

DISCLAIMER on “How it Works”- If you Voluntarily call Health Advocate or Florida Blue and receive any sort of service, it will remain 100% Confidential! All of your information is kept private between you and your clinician. If you are mandated to go to EAP, the city will be advised of your compliance with therapy sessions only.