Morneau Shepell Launches My EAP Application for Mobile Devices

The first Employee Assistance Program provider in Canada
to offer EAP services for 'people on the go'

TORONTO, May 25, 2011 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell, under the Shepell-fgi brand, has launched My EAP, a mobile application (app) for the Apple and RIM families of mobile devices. The app, a first from an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, delivers interactive tools, support resources and access to EAP services via mobile devices to provide easy and effective access for people on-the-go.

In the spirit of innovation and thought leadership, My EAP offers an interactive and supportive mobile EAP experience by providing:

1) health and wellness articles;

2) access to E-Counselling; and

3) LifeSpeak On Demand video clips.

Giving  clients a familiar user experience, the app reflects the content and features available on Shepell-fgi's website (workhealthlife.com), and through a partnership with LifeSpeak On Demand, it also provides information on a range of personal and work-related topics from acclaimed experts through streaming video.

"More than 30 years ago, we pioneered the Employee Assistance Program in Canada," said Alan Torrie, President and Chief Executive Officer at Morneau Shepell. "Today, we are continuing to demonstrate our innovation and industry leadership by developing products and services that reflect how our clients are using EAP and technology."

Stephen Liptrap, Executive Vice President at Morneau Shepell, and General Manager of the Shepell-fgi EAP line of business adds: "My EAP is a good example of how we are bringing our EAP and technology expertise to the mobile platform. And like most things in the mobile space, our My EAP app will continue to evolve over time to ensure that our clients have fast, easy, self-service access to employee and family assistance services and support."

My EAP has been designed for the Apple iPhone (3G, 3GS, 4), iPod Touch, and RIM's Blackberry Bold, Curve and Torch models. An application for Google's Android operating system will follow later this year and Morneau Shepell will continue to explore the potential of mobile applications for other devices as well.

According to research, there were about 5.3 billion mobile subscriptions at the end of 2010 which equates to 77 per cent of the world's population.* The number of people accessing the mobile Internet is growing quickly, and estimates at the end of 2009 indicated almost 530 million users browsed the mobile Web on their handset.** This is forecasted to increase to over 1 billion by 2015.**
* The International Telecommunication Union (October 2010).
** Strategy Analytics (March 2010).

Engaging users when they need EAP services most made perfect sense. "Our aim is to deliver EAP anywhere, anytime, in accordance with our clients' needs and requirements," said Rita Fridella, Senior Vice-President and Chief Clinician, Operations at Shepell-fgi. "We believe that this innovation along with several others to be released in the coming year will further ensure the highest level of clinical efficacy and service standards."

The app is available at no cost via the App Store and BlackBerry App World. You can download the app onto your mobile device via the following links:

App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-eap/id436292883?mt=8&ls=1

BB App World link: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/43853?lang=en

About Morneau Shepell

Morneau Shepell is the largest Canadian-based organization offering industry-leading benefits and pension consulting, outsourcing, as well as health and productivity solutions. It works with clients to develop innovative solutions that integrate with their business strategies to achieve results.

Through its Benefits and Health Solutions Consulting, Pension Consulting, Health Management, Administration Solutions, and Shepell-fgi's Employee Assistance Program  (EAP), Morneau Shepell helps clients reduce costs, increase employee productivity, and improve their competitive positions by supporting their employees' financial security, health, and well-being.

Established in 1962, Morneau Shepell has grown to serve over 8,000 clients, ranging from small businesses to some of the largest corporations and associations in North America. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, it has offices in the United States and over 70 locations across Canada. Morneau Shepell Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).  For more information, visit www.morneaushepell.com.

Shepell-fgi

Shepell-fgi is Canada's leading provider of workplace health and productivity solutions, including prevention-focused Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), Wellness Programs, and Organizational Solutions. The company serves over eight million employees and their families across Canada, the United States, and internationally. Shepell-fgi helps organizations maintain healthy employees and healthy workplaces. Visit www.shepellfgi.com.