problems caused by the recession.

And increasing numbers of bosses are getting professional help for their workers, hoping to prevent valued staff going under.

The boom in counselling was revealed yesterday at the annual meeting of Bermuda's Employee Assistance Programme, a non-profit group celebrating its fifth anniversary next month.

Chairman Mrs. Debby Graham told the meeting that more than 2,000 workers brought their problems to the EAP in the past year.

"We have seen an increased utilisation of services,'' she said. "With recession continuing to propel the downturn in world economies, it comes as no surprise that problems related to the general unrest of people due to the state of the economy, i.e. financial problems, anger management and relationship problems, are on the increase.'' EAP counsellors have found the recession causes psychological and emotional difficulties as well as problems in relationships and families.

Such troubles made up nearly two-thirds of all cases dealt with by the EAP, the meeting at Stonington Beach hotel heard.

Drug problems took up more than five percent, and alcohol problems more than eight percent.

Counsellors had also helped workers through traumas like redundancy, death of a co-worker, company merger and workplace accidents, said Mrs. Graham.

She said a work force of 10,387 was now represented by member organisations.

Counting members of the workers' households, the EAP could reach nearly half Bermuda's population.

The EAP helps employees and their families on a confidential basis, and advises bosses on how to ensure the well-being of workers.

The group has grown from six member organisations five years ago, to 93 today -- including Government. Each pays an annual fee of $28 per worker.