Arkansas Teacher Support Helpline
Peer-to-Peer Listening Supporting the Heart of Arkansas Teachers
We offer mental health support for Arkansas teachers from teachers with lived and trained experience in coping with the stress of teaching.
If you are a teacher or paraprofessional, here are some reasons why you may want to reach out to a Peer Listener:
- Teacher-to-Teacher Support – Connect with an educator who understands the pressures and rewards of teaching and is ready to bear witness to yours.
- Validation of Lived Realities – Receive neutral, nonjudgmental support that acknowledges, affirms, and helps you clarify your experiences.
- Professional Connection: Find reassurance and understanding when you feel isolated in your professional journey.
- Self-Care for Educators: - Prioritize your wellbeing to be the best version of yourself for your learners with immediate self-care actions.
- Mental Health Resources & Resiliency Strategies – Explore opportunities for additional support and referrals to other services, if appropriate, as well as wellness strategies curated for educators.
While this helpline is not a hotline for those experiencing crises, a Peer Listener may assist individuals with referrals or direct linkage to more immediate or intensive services.
To contact a caring Peer Listener for wellness support, call 833-669-7337 (833-NOW PEER) M–F 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Arkansas Employee Assistance Program
Teaching sometimes feels like an overwhelming job. We give so much of ourselves to our students every day, perhaps at the expense of our own well-being. As teachers, when one of our own is struggling, we come together to support one another through life’s challenges.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need someone to talk to, know that you’re part of a caring community that can help. The Arkansas Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, work-based hotline offering confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees with personal or work-related problems.
Whether it’s stress, anxiety, or anything else weighing on your mind, EAP offers face-to-face or virtual sessions with experts who lend an understanding, unbiased ear and help you navigate a path forward.
Follow ArkansasEd on Facebook for instructions on signing up for the EAP. You may need to input a company code. You can also visit the Arkansas EAP website for more information.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Remember, if you or someone you know is in a crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 is available 24/7. Together, we can ensure nobody faces their struggles alone.
Your well-being matters. By coming together, we can create a supportive environment where every teacher can thrive.
