UFT Mental Health Helpline
If you are experiencing emotional distress, need resources or a referral, your union-trained mental health counselors can offer immediate, confidential help.
This dedicated helpline can be called when you are:
- Feeling lost, hopeless or having thoughts of suicide;
- In a crisis and need immediate help;
- Anxious or angry and need help de-escalating in the moment;
- Struggling with substance use and need access to care;
- Grief-stricken and need help coping with the loss of someone you have cared about.
Our dedicated counselors can help with:
- Emotional support, counseling and coping skills;
- Crisis intervention and assistance during a psychiatric emergency;
- Referrals for substance use treatment centers that have partnered with the UFT Member Assistance Program;
- Referrals for ongoing mental health services through your insurance plan;
- Getting immediate services at hospitals and mental health agencies within the five boroughs;
- Finding someone to speak with in the language you feel most comfortable in, to help manage life’s challenges.
All languages are available upon request. A counselor will request your union ID number to identify you as a UFT member.
Please note: This service is for mental health/behavioral support. For all union-related questions, please call the union at 212-331-6311.
Frequently asked questions
There is no limit to the number of times you can use the UFT Mental Health Helpline. Please note that the helpline is not a substitute for long-term counseling and you are not guaranteed to receive the same counselor every time you call.
Contacting the UFT Mental Health Helpline is free of charge as a benefit of being a UFT member. The cost of services by external providers that the helpline may refer you to is based on various factors. Please check with your health insurance provider for information on your benefits.
Both MAP and the UFT Mental Health Helpline are confidential services. Exceptions to confidentiality only occur if you are at imminent risk to yourself or others.
- For immediate help 24/7, in multiple languages.
- When in need of mental health assistance after normal business hours, on weekends or on holidays.
- Finding someone to speak with, in the language you feel most comfortable in, to help manage life’s challenges.
- Getting immediate services at hospitals and mental health agencies within the five boroughs.
- To speak with a counselor who can help you with de-escalation of maladaptive and dangerous thoughts, emotional feelings and distress, and resources and referrals.
- Crisis intervention and assistance during a psychiatric emergency.
- Referrals for substance use treatment centers that have partnered with the UFT Member Assistance Program.
- Referrals for ongoing mental health services through your insurance plan.
All UFT members and their families. You will be asked to verify your membership with your UFT ID number.
The UFT's Member Assistance Program has teamed up with Vibrant Emotional Health to provide vital mental health support whenever a UFT member or their families are in need. Our 24/7 dedicated mental health support line is available 365 days a year in multiple languages. Union-trained counselors can offer immediate help to members and their families who are in crisis, experiencing emotional distress, in need of mental health resources or a referral.
Call or text the UFT Mental Health Helpline at 866-UFT-FOR-U (866-838-3678) for free and confidential assistance. A chat is also available on the Helpline web page or by clicking the blue chat icon located throughout the MAP site.
You will be asked for your UFT ID number to verify your union membership (see how to find your UFT member ID number). All calls are free and confidential. Learn more about the UFT Mental Health Helpline »