Kyla Gorji, the Director of the Employee Assistance Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is being honored for her work in helping individuals understand and address their mental health concerns. With almost 30 years of experience in employee assistance programs, Gorji has been with the University of Nebraska for 15 years.
Kyla Gorji, a licensed independent mental health practitioner, loves helping people navigate the complex puzzle of mental health. She connects with people through her work at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she has been the director of the Employee Assistance Program for the last five years.
She believes that mental health is a unique puzzle for each individual, and her role is to help people comprehend their concerns and find solutions when they are unable to do so on their own.
Kyla Gorji, who grew up in Nebraska and has always been a Huskers fan, appreciates the strong reputation the University of Nebraska holds as an employer. Her connection to the university, combined with the relationships she has built in her office and her interactions with people from various departments and colleges, have been significant factors in her 15-year tenure at the university.
Gorji has observed a shift in attitudes toward counseling over the years, with more people recognizing the importance of addressing mental health challenges. She believes that in today’s political and social climate, addressing mental health has become increasingly crucial.
She mentioned that counseling is often the most rewarding aspect of her job because she gets to work with a diverse range of people. The most common reasons individuals seek help from EAP are depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. However, each person has their unique combination of challenges, and Gorji enjoys helping them find the right solutions based on their individual needs.
She compared mental health to physical appearance, emphasizing that just as no two people look exactly alike on the outside, mental health issues are unique to each individual. She believes that counseling’s value lies in providing individuals with dedicated time and a friendly ear that listens, offers empathy, and tries to understand them.
Gorji highlighted the importance of giving individuals an entire hour to focus on themselves, a rare opportunity in today’s busy world. The rewarding aspect of her job is seeing tangible results when people who enter her office with a stressed expression leave with a calmer one.
For her dedication to helping others address their mental health concerns and her contributions to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Kyla Gorji is being honored at the Celebration of Service event.
