EAP targets bullying in October Published Oct. 15, 2015 By Angela Woolen Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Bullying can happen anywhere. If it happens to a civilian at work, the Air Force Materiel Command Employee Assistance Program is there to help. October's campaign is "Choose Respect" and licensed therapists, Jamie Tillit and Lynn Irvine, hope to spread awareness and get those who are bullied the help they need. The pair are EAP consultants at Bldg. 207. "Bullying has become such a huge issue in school, on social media and at the workplace, it was just a needed thing," said Irvine of this month's campaign. Although the EAP doesn't keep track of how many people come in who are bullied, Irvine said the numbers haven't increased in her opinion. "It now has a buzz word instead of saying that 'someone is picking on me,'" she said. Bullying can be done by managers or employees. Most of the time, a bully doesn't recognize they are a bully. Civilians can get help by calling either Tillit or Irvine to make an appointment. "We use stress management skills that we would teach anyone," Tillit said. Irvine added that using the golden rule of treating others as you want to be treated is also something the counselors use to help a bullying victim. Using boundaries is a good way to deal with a bully. Another option is ignoring the person. "Most of the time, a bully is looking for a reaction from you. If they don't get a reaction, they will move on to someone else. That's the sad part. Most bullies don't change," said Tillit. Bullies, for the most part, do so because of insecurities. Sometimes, in a work environment, a bully is afraid he or she doesn't know the job well enough and bullies others so no one will ask questions. A Department of Defense program, EAP has been helping since 2002. According to its brochure, EAP offers consultation for anyone with a personal concern, whether on the job or off. It "helps improve productivity, morale and employee motivation by providing timely support to both managers and employees," the Federal Occupational Health form said. EAP is available 24/7 and is accessible by calling 800-222-0364 or visiting www.FOH4YOU.com.