I don't know how HR departments have somehow convinced workers that they are there to help.
Look at the term itself: Human Resources. You are a big bag of meat that the company has purchased to help them provide a service. You are cattle. You are a resource, no more important to them than the office chairs or copy machines. Sure, it makes sense to offer you health insurance and monetary incentive, but they are not your advocate.
If the cafeteria was called the Human Food Facility, wouldn't you feel a little demeaned? Or the bathroom: Human Waste Disposal.
Never, ever think that Human Resources are there to help you. YOU are the human resource that the company uses. They are not a department with resources for you. If they were, they'd be called the Employee Resources department.