 Teachers may experience increased stress, anxiety or other challenges during strike action. It is important to know that all group health benefits, including the Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) provided by all divisions, remain active and fully accessible throughout this period. The Association will assume the cost of maintaining teacher group health benefits for the duration of the labour action. These expenses will be covered through the Special Emergency Fund (SEF); however, members should be aware that this fund will need to be replenished through a process involving contributions from the membership. This will be determined after the strike. EFAP provides confidential support for members and their dependents through counselling, mental health resources and online cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression. These services aim to help teachers manage stress, maintain well-being and access support during the uncertainties of strike action. Teachers can also reach out to Teacher Employment Services (TES) at 1-800-232-7208 if they need assistance. All calls are kept confidential. TES has expertise in benefit plans including EFAP and is prepared to help you access support. If you are unable to call TES, please review the resources below, which may help you. • If you are in distress and suffering a mental health crisis, call or text 9-8-8. This number is available 24/7 in both English and French and is available anywhere in Canada. • Your group health benefits, provided in your collective agreement, include resources such as psychological services and the EFAP. o If ASEBP is your group health benefits provider, GreenShield+ offers the EFAP (at https://app.greenshieldplus.ca/signin or by calling 1-877-431-4786). To create a GreenShield+ account so you can start using your EFAP benefits, you’ll need: 1. Your ASEBP ID number. Find it on MyASEBP (at https://my.asebp.ca/login). 2. Your employer’s organization code. If you don’t know the code, contact an ASEBP benefits specialist at 1-877-431-4786. 3. Use your personal e-mail address when setting up your account. o For Calgary Public Teachers, the EFAP is offered through TELUS Health (at https://one.telushealth.com or by calling 1-833-754-3702). o For Calgary Catholic Teachers, EFAP support is provided by the employer (on the District Intranet, go to Departments > Human Resources > Employee Benefits, then select the Employee & Family Assistance Program subheading or call the EFAP administrator at 403-500-2774). o For Fort McMurray Catholic Teachers, the EFAP is offered through Homewood Health (at https://homewoodpathfinder.com/employee-assistance-program/ or by calling 1-844-959-2917). WORTH SHARING During strike action, your group health benefits remain fully active and accessible. This includes EFAP services—counselling, mental health support, and digital programs—which are available to all covered members and their dependents. These resources are designed to help teachers manage the added stress, financial pressures and emotional challenges that can arise during a strike, ensuring support is available exactly when it’s needed most. Questions? Contact Teacher Employment Services at 1-800-232-7208. #WeAreATA  Comments are closed.
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Updates from ATA ProvincialArchives
November 2025
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