ABSTRACT
In the summer of 1992, Erfurt, Foote and Heirich published a prophetic discussion on the benefits of integrating employee assistance and wellness programs in a model they coined “mega brush.” Erfurt and colleagues predicted four important gains would result from these two programs working closely together in a coordinated effort. First, due to the popularity and broader population reach of wellness programs, wellness programs would enhance early detection/prevention of substance abuse and mental health problems. Second, the coordination of wellness and employee assistance programs would encourage cross referrals of employees with specific health or behavioral problems. Third, because employees are more easily engaged in wellness than employee assistance due to the lack of stigma associated with their programs, employees who are initially engaged by the wellness programs would be more easily transferred to EAP services, when applicable. And finally, integrated programs would lead to greater cost-containment and employee well-being due to the formation of a comprehensive risk reduction and health improvement system.
