EMPAC

🧠 October is just a few days away and it's ADHD Awareness Month.

We highlighted ADHD in women in our September empac Frontline Employee Newsletter, and it’s a topic worth continuing the conversation about.

ADHD can look different from what many people expect, and it can impact focus, organization, time management, communication, and daily routines.

In the workplace, a little understanding can make a big difference.

💙 Lead with curiosity, not assumptions.
💙 Recognize that everyone works and processes information differently.
💙 Focus on strengths while finding strategies that support success.
💙 Create an environment where employees feel comfortable asking for support.

Awareness is often the first step toward understanding, and understanding can create a more supportive workplace for everyone. If you would like to learn more, give us a call!

Healthy People. Thriving Organizations.

🍂 As the seasons change, so can we.

Cooler temperatures, shorter days, and changes in our routines can affect more than just our wardrobe. For some people, the transition into fall and winter can bring changes in mood, energy, sleep, and motivation. Seasonal depression (also called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD) is a real concern for many.

This fall, lean into your EAP. 💙

You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to reach out. Your EAP can be a confidential resource for support with:

✨ Stress and feeling overwhelmed

✨ Changes in mood or motivation

✨ Family and relationship concerns

✨ Work-life balance

✨ Grief, anxiety, or other personal challenges

✨ Connecting with additional community resources

A change in season is a great reminder to check in with yourself. If you’re not feeling like yourself, reaching out for support can be an important first step.

🍁 This fall, take care of yourself and remember, your EAP is here.

Resilience builds something rare: lasting partnerships.

This September, we're proud to recognize the following partners as they mark another year with us. Every anniversary reflects steady commitment, shared standards, and a drive to keep growing together.

Aerospace Systems
United Machine
Jill Hattan Companies
Emprise Bank
Child Start, Inc.
Cowley College
Icon Structures, Inc.
Skaer Veterinary Clinic
City of Abbyville
Kansas Health Foundation
City of Maize
Wichita Airline Maintenance
ComfortCare Homes- Newton
Hodgeman County Health Center
Mennonite Housing

For many companies, the past years haven't always been easy. But with empac's resources, all our partners built strength, adaptability, and hope for the future.

Thank you all for your dedication to caring for your teams -- helping them thrive and build resilience.

📣 Don't miss our final Supervisor Success Series offerings of 2026!

If you’ve been thinking about investing in your employee's leadership skills, now is the time. Our final SSS offerings of the year is your last opportunity in 2026 to give your frontline leaders practical tools they can use every day.

This series is designed to help strengthen leadership skills and navigate the everyday challenges of supervising others. Whether you’re a new supervisor or a seasoned leader, SSS provides practical strategies to help individuals lead with greater confidence and effectiveness.

📅 Check out our dates and times below for sessions offered in October and November to wrap up 2026!

👉 Contact [email protected] to learn more and reserve your spot!

Healthy People. Thriving Organizations.

🧠 Take the Next Step in Your Workplace’s Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health Awareness in the workplace is about more than recognizing the signs, it’s about creating a culture where people feel supported, conversations are welcomed, and help is accessible.

In our latest blog, Amy Thurman, LPC shares practical insight on how organizations can move beyond awareness and take meaningful steps toward supporting employee mental health.

💙 Whether you’re an HR professional, supervisor, or organizational leader, there’s always a next step you can take to strengthen Mental Health Awareness in your workplace!

https://empac-eap.com/2026/09/take-the-next-step-in-your-workplaces-mental-health-awareness/

Your Next Steps in Workplace Mental Health Awareness Your company's success depends heavily on your employees’ well-being. Mental health affects employee productivity, attendance, and workplace satisfaction. Creating a plan to support your employees’ wellness can help address and prevent issues.At empac we strongly believe that healthy, well-balan...

September is National Su***de Prevention Month, and it’s a time when you can review your team’s mental health needs.

Are you fostering a resilient workplace and actively prioritizing mental health at every level?

If you’re not sure where to begin, consider utilizing an employee assistance program (EAP). However, choose your EAP carefully. Conventional EAPs often react only after a problem arises. Empac elevates these strategies by partnering with leadership before crises begin.

Leadership can offer:

- Confidential Counseling: Immediate, solution-focused support for teams facing life challenges.
- Supervisor Training: Equipping management to confidently identify warning signs and intervene early. In fact, ask us about our Resiliency Training for your team! Learn practical tools to clarify personal values, manage stress, and more.
- Executive Consulting: Developing organizational resilience and emotional intelligence at the executive level.

Let’s collaborate to build a workplace culture where leadership is inspired, teams are engaged, and your organization can truly thrive. Get started today: https://empac-eap.com/request-a-quote/

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🌟 EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 🌟

At empac, we know that the heart of what we do is people helping people. Today, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Amy Thurman, LPC one of our talented EAP Counselors here at empac!

Amy's supervisor, Chad Henkelman, LMSW, LMAC, SAP, wanted to share the following about Amy:

"Amy has had a positive impact here since she began as an intern and was then hired as an EAP Counselor. Amy is a very caring person that always has the best interest of empac and her clients at heart. Amy has branched out to do trainings and CISD's (crisis intervention stress debriefing) in addition to supporting her clients. Amy's presence embodies the values and mission of empac. Her eagerness to continue learning new skills ensures that she is able to provide optimum care for everyone she works with. Thank you, Amy, for all that you do and for being you!"

A few things you may not know about Amy:

✨What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

My absolute favorite hobby is reading fiction. I've loved reading since elementary school, when I would finish several chapter books a week. One of my favorite memories is when my grandfather took me to a used bookstore, where we nearly cleared them out of their Nancy Drew books! I also enjoy exercising and traveling with my family to new places, especially when a trip includes hiking. I love to get away from the busyness of everyday life and take in the beautiful scenery

✨If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would like to travel outside of the United States, especially to Europe. I would love to see Europe's beautiful scenery and historic castles!

✨What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Two related pieces of advice I've received are, "Self-care is not selfish" and "Rest is a requirement, not a reward." During many seasons of my life, I've neglected my hobbies and other self-care because I was so focused on my responsibilities. I've noticed that when I do that, I feel more run down and less like myself. I've realized how important it is to slow down, take breaks, and make time for activities simply because I enjoy them! Humans aren't robots, but even a robot needs maintenance!

✨What do you enjoy most about working at empac?

I often think "I can't believe I get to do my dream job!" It's very important to me to have a career where I feel I'm making a difference by helping others, while being a part of a healthy and supportive work environment. I love working with my clients to provide support as they process difficult situations and emotions. It's rewarding to help them develop new strategies, gain insights, and navigate challenging seasons of their lives. Ultimately what keeps me specifically at empac is having colleagues who genuinely care about each other and the work we do.

This September, during National Su***de Prevention Month, we're reminded of a simple truth: no one thrives alone.

Resilience isn't something we build in isolation. It's shaped by the people around us, the moments we pause to ask, "How are you really doing?" and the space we create for honest answers.

Sometimes a colleague's struggle is quiet. A shift in mood. Pulling back from the team. Missing the little things they used to enjoy. These signs are easy to miss when we're busy, but noticing them can make all the difference.

You don't need the perfect words. You just need to show up – whether you’re a manager, colleague, or team member.

Are you worried about someone at work, or are you dealing with suicidal thoughts?

These confidential resources are available:
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call, text, or chat at 988, which is the National Su***de and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours.
- Use the following line when you’re not in active crisis, but feel an urgent need to connect with someone about your emotional distress: Compassionate Ear Warmline: 866.927.6327 / 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Let's look out for one another this month, and all year long.

Want to find out more about how empac can help you or a coworker? Get started: https://empac-eap.com/contact/

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Are You Running on Empty?

You can’t pour from an empty cup but too often, we expect ourselves to keep going anyway.

Maybe you’re:
• Checking emails before your feet hit the floor
• Feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep
• Struggling to focus or stay motivated
• Saying “I’m fine” when you’re anything but
• Giving everything to work, family, and others with little left for yourself

Running on empty isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a signal.

For leaders, it’s also worth asking: How is my team really doing?

Creating a healthy workplace isn’t about eliminating every source of stress. It’s about making sure employees have the support, resources, and permission to take care of themselves before they reach empty.

At empac, we believe wellness starts with recognizing that people are people first and supporting the whole person matters.

💙 Pause. Check in. Recharge. Reach out.

What’s one thing you can do today to refill your cup?