About us

The UFT's Member Assistance Program is a union-based program providing free, confidential and voluntary services to all in-service UFT members. Our staff are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in working with NYC school-based staff and other union members. MAP supports its members through clinical assessment and consultations, support groups and professional development workshops. We can assist members with resources, referrals, and general navigation through a wide range of union services.

The UFT Member Assistance Program can help members: 

• Find mental health services to fit your needs
• Assess for and refer to appropriate substance abuse programs
• Help with marital or family relationship problems
• Arrange assistance for victims of domestic violence
• Offer referrals to legal or credit counseling services
• Provide trauma and bereavement support
• Suggest treatment referrals for eating disorders
• Provide support during times of crisis

• Short-term individual counseling provided by professionally trained and licensed counselors in our offices for a variety of concerns members may have, from marital or family problems to stress or workplace issues or alcohol and drug addiction
• Short-term support groups
• Assistance with referrals to outside services
• If you are in crisis, experiencing distress, need resources or a referral, our counselors are available for UFT members 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or text at 1-866-UFT-FOR-U.

A counseling session is a confidential meeting between you and a MAP mental health professional to discuss your concern and figure out how best to resolve it. 

The Member Assistance Program is available free of charge to all UFT members. Your insurance plan may cover services for additional resources or referrals, depending on the plan you are enrolled in. 

• For non-urgent situations when you can wait up to 48 hours for a call back from the MAP Program.
• Call the UFT Mental Health Helpline if you are in crisis, experiencing distress, need resources or a referral. Our counselors are available for UFT members 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or text at 1-866-UFT-FOR-U.
• When you need to speak with a licensed clinician for a confidential and voluntary consultation assessment.
• If you’re seeking a psychiatric consultation and assessment with our nurse practitioner.
• For information on our various support groups and workshops (for both in-service members and retirees):
  • Grief & Loss: Members come together to share in their bereavement and how it impacts their work life as an educator.
  • Building Better Habits: A virtual wellness support group where members learn ways to understand what’s holding them back from building better habits and establish a plan to keep them on track towards achieving their goals.
  • Managing Anger: Members will learn to identify emotional triggers that can make us feel angry, and healthy coping skills to manage those feelings.
  • Take Charge of Your Emotions: In this four-week virtual group, you will learn the basics of mindfulness, understanding and regulating your emotions and how to apply these skills in your everyday life.
  • Seasonal Self-Care: Members will meet weekly to delve into the different areas of wellness, offering practical tips, strategies and support from our licensed clinicians.
• If you are a new educator, we provide information and well-being support for new members in collaboration with other union departments through our New Educators’ Initiative, which includes the following resources:
  • Partners Through Experience: A voluntary program that pairs a new teacher with a recent retiree for support.
  • Brewing Wellness Podcast: Mental health professionals and educators share information in areas such as creating welcoming schools, classroom management, nutrition and other relevant school-related topics.
• If you are a UFT social worker, school psychologist or mental health counselor seeking New York State continuing education credits: as a union member, you have firsthand access to an array of clinical courses (both discounted fee-based and free) to help enhance your work with students.
• If you would like to attend professional development workshops and conferences related to substance use disorders and topics related to mental health.
• If you are seeking onsite counseling because of a school crisis in conjunction with the UFT/DOE's Victim Support Program.
• Referrals for:
  • Mental health counseling
  • Substance use treatment: assessment, referral, and pre-authorization for insurance approval.