To all City Employees:
The past three months have been challenging for everyone – whether balancing childcare and working from home, working on the front lines with residents, or in the field maintaining critical infrastructure and services, concerns about our health and the future have weighed on many of our minds. And recent weeks have brought new and different challenges and anxieties – it is a difficult time for the country, our City, and for us as public servants.
Following are resources that are available to all City employees and may be helpful during this time:
- The City’s Employee Assistance Program offers professional mental health services at no cost to City of Chicago employees on an individual and confidential basis. These services cover a wide range of personal concerns, including stress, anxiety, grief, substance abuse, and family conflict, as well as referral to financial counseling resources. More information can be found here on the City’s intranet, by calling 312-744-9711, or by emailing DHREAP@cityofchicago.org.
- In addition, NAMI Chicago provides a free, confidential Helpline at 833-626-4244. The Helpline offers help and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can connect you with over 700 resources specific to your needs. Additional information can be found here.
- Employees enrolled in a City of Chicago healthcare plan have access to mental health support services under the HMO and PPO benefits plans offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Details regarding these services may be found in the attached benefits summary document.
We hope that these resources are helpful to you and we greatly appreciate your continued service. Your health and well-being are important to the City and to the residents that we serve every day, and the work that you do is even more essential during these difficult times.
