Benefits - January & February 2026

Colgate EAP Resources

BRiDGES EAP is a workplace benefit that provides assessment, referral, and short-term counseling to employees and their immediate family members. All callers will receive up to five free sessions per issue per year with an EAP professional for confidential support. 

BRiDGES is available by phone Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 315-697-3947. In-person, virtual, and phone sessions are available by completing the appointment request form.

Should you need assistance after 5 p.m., you can still call BRiDGES at 315-697-3947. You may leave a message and your call will be returned during regular business hours. Evening appointments are available by appointment only. In the event of a crisis, Behavioral Health Telemedicine through Excellus and HigherEd EAP are available 24/7; please see below to contact them. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

Utilize the BRIDGES new online Employee Resource Portal. Through the portal, employees have access to a growing library of articles, tip sheets, and wellness tools anytime. Whether you’re looking for support strategies, self-care ideas, or ways to navigate workplace stress, the portal is available to you 24/7. Check it out on their website and use password: Wellness 2026 to gain entry.

HigherEd EAP offers 24/7 access to counselors, extensive links, tools, and resources to help higher education personnel deal with professional challenges. To access this benefit, call the EAP at 1-800-252-4555 or log on to the website.

Here are some of the numerous options ESI EAP offers to help you grow and learn. (Please note: To access these benefits, you must be logged into the EAP website):

• Personal & Professional Development Trainings – Explore thousands of free online personal and professional development trainings in multiple user-friendly formats on work skills, wellness, technology, safety, and more. Try micro-learning in short bursts of 10 minutes or less, or dive deeper into key topics in eLearning of 30 minutes or more.
• Monthly Webinars – Your EAP issues new webinars on personal and family-related topics monthly.
• Career & Education Resources – Find links to resources for Career Exploration and Planning; Finding the Right College; Financial Aid and Scholarships; and Vocational, Military, and Other Career Resources.
• Financial Fitness Center – Learn about money matters, from budgeting to investing. Explore hundreds of interactive tutorials to help you get answers to all your questions about money!

Behavioral Telemedicine (for those enrolled in Colgate’s health insurance plan), through a partnership with MDLIVE, allows you to schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist or therapist 24/7 via phone, tablet, or computer — wherever and whenever you need to. No 20% coinsurance imposed. 

Telemedicine (1-866-692-5045) (for those enrolled in Colgate’s health insurance plan). 
Our doctors are always in. Get care in minutes, 24/7/365. Talk to a board-certified doctor in 15 minutes or less for trusted, reliable care whenever and wherever you need it. MDLIVE is your affordable alternative to urgent care clinics or the ER. No long waits, drive times, or germ-filled offices. See how MDLIVE visits work. 

MDLIVE board-certified doctors have an average of 15 years of experience and provide care for more than 80 common, nonemergency conditions, including: 
               Allergies            Insect bites        Sinus problems    
               Cold & flu          Pink eye             Sore throat        
               Ear pain            Prescriptions      UTIs
               Headaches       Rashes               and more

Madison County Mental Health Department (315-366-2327, option 1). The mental health department offers a crisis line 24 hours a day. You can call 315-366-2327 and press 1. During business hours, this line goes to office staff, where clients may ask to speak to an available clinician. Individuals are also seen at the office on an emergency, walk-in basis.