The Member Assistance Program is designed to provide support our members and their families. We have partnered with the Labor Education Community Services Agency, Inc. (LECSA), which has counselors who are able to assist members with many personal issues, including: alcohol or drug addiction, depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns, grief, bereavement, stress, marital issues, and more. Their counselors are fluent in English and Spanish, and calls to LECSA are always confidential. 

For additional information or to seek help, please call (631) 851-1295 or visit www.lecsa.org. 

To download the Local 338 Member Assistance Program Brochure Click Here: English | Spanish

Every month, our Member Assistance Program partners, the Labor Education Community Services Agency, Inc. (LECSA), publish LECSAGRAM, a newsletter with important resources for issues that may be affecting members and their families. LECSA is available to help our members with a variety of personal issues, and calls to the organization are always confidential. For more information, or to seek help, please call: 631) 851-1295 or visit www.lecsa.org.

As the overdose epidemic continues to wreak havoc nationwide more interventions and solutions are needed to combat the number one healthcare crisis of our times. Recovery is the best solution and nowadays has become increasingly more accessible thanks to a concerted effort by members of the recovery community to extend a “public” hand to those in need.

The practice of Yoga dates back a very long time. Ancient masters utilized yoga as a means to improve fitness and increase spiritual attunement. Historically yoga has been touted as highly beneficial. Many studies have demonstrated physical and psychological benefits. In recent years there has been resurgence in interest and in the practice of yoga.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released data indicating that in the 12 month period ending December 2022, overdose deaths rose yet again from 109,179 to 109,680, setting yet another devastating annual record. This after a glimmer of hope with the cumulative effect of Naloxone, (the life-saving overdose reversal agent) and the growing availability of fentanyl test strips; overdose deaths which had spiked during the COVID 19 pandemic appeared to begin to “level off”, although still at mind blowing numbers over 100,000 annually.

although sadly it seems we could have mental health month almost every month these days. Millions are affected by mental health issues and illness each year. Some statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Alcohol Awareness Month aims to provide the public with information about alcohol consumption and alcoholism (alcohol use disorder or AUD) as a preventable disease. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) indicates alcohol use is the third-leading cause of preventable death. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 88,000 people die from alcohol-related deaths each year in the United States.

Although not new another troublesome phenomenon brought about by the internet age is the prevalence of online or electronic, “cyber-bullying”. As access to popular social media platforms for young people continue to grow kid’s today face unparalleled difficulties which are creating major issues in today’s online world.

In a startling development the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that I in 3 teenage girls seriously considered suicide in 2021 an increase of nearly 60% from the previous decade. 15% of teen girls said they were forced to have sex which was up 27% over 2 years and was the first increase since this category has been tracked. CDC officials are “really alarmed.” We are seeing record highs in sadness and suicide rates. These findings are the results of an anonymous survey of 17,000 school aged teens which was administered in classrooms nationwide.

Dr. Stephen Dewey is a neuro scientist and addiction psychiatrist who has spent the greater part of his lengthy career visiting high schools on Long Island speaking to students and parents about the dangers of alcohol and drug use on the still developing adolescent brain. Dr. Dewey also brings his evolving presentations to medical and clinical practice groups including the Long Island Chapter of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association just last week.