Peer Support Line now available to NYSUT members

YSUT Member Benefits is excited to announce the launch of a Peer Support Line, which is available at no cost to all NYSUT members and their families. Created through a partnership between NYSUT Program Services, Member Benefits and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, this confidential helpline can provide answers, referrals and empathetic support to callers when it is most needed.

The Peer Support Line is staffed by trained in-service and retired individuals employed by Rutgers University who understand the unique professional and personal challenges of NYSUT members.

Rutgers is incredibly experienced in the peer support arena and runs more than a dozen support/crisis lines that utilize this model. These types of services help to establish a lasting relationship with individuals based on shared experiences while providing resources and support.

NYSUT members and their families receive free access to the peer support model, which can be beneficial for situations such as a new teacher looking to discuss the stresses of work, a veteran SRP member on the verge of retirement or a member seeking advice when it comes to elder care options.

In 2018, the Reciprocal Peer Support program at Rutgers was selected to receive the Silver APA (American Psychiatric Association) Psychiatric Services Achievement Award; this honor recognized Rutgers’ efforts to address mental health crises among a wide variety of constituencies, including police officers, veterans, mothers of children with special needs and other groups.

Callers to the Peer Support Line can receive assistance with utilizing Employee Assistance Program benefits, along with finding information and referrals for professional assistance within their community.

This service can also help with locating mental health services or support groups; answering questions about Medicare and Medicaid; managing work-related stress; providing support to new members; sourcing elder care or caregiving services; and assisting with marital, relationship or child rearing concerns.

In addition, callers to the hotline will connect with a caring listener who can offer assistance for reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness; accessing services for individuals with disabilities; finding help for victims of violence; and managing planned or unexpected hospitalizations.

The peer support concept alleviates stress and anxiety, promotes wellness, enhances coping skills and builds resilience among individuals. As part of the concept of shared experiences helping to bring people together, callers to the Peer Support Line have the option to establish an ongoing relationship with their peer support specialist to create a lasting connection.

For more information about the Peer Support Line, call toll-free 844-444-0152 or visit nysut.org/PeerSupport.