Supporting Flight Attendants Through Confidential Assistance and Excellence in Service
The AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource for resolving problems through an international network of over 200 professionally-trained, peer support volunteer Flight Attendants overseen by mental health professionals. AFA EAP assists members in accessing appropriate medical help around mental health issues involving family crises, work-related trauma and chemical imbalance, as well as conflict resolution services and response to critical incidents.
Since 1980, AFA EAP has received numerous awards for our confidential support services to Flight Attendants, their families and partners, including the President’s Volunteer Action Award Citation for recognition of outstanding work, awarded by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Today, AFA EAP is one of the largest union-sponsored member assistance programs in the industry. Other unions and associations often seek to model their programs on what AFA has so successfully implemented.
What the Program Offers
The EAP provides a range of services designed to assist you in both personal and professional contexts, including:
Confidential Assessment & Short-Term Counseling: Access to licensed professionals for emotional, stress, grief, addiction or life-balance concerns.
Referral Services: Guidance and referral to appropriate long-term resources or specialized care when needed.
Legal, Financial & Work-Life Support: Advisory services covering family caregiving, elder or child care, financial planning, legal consultation and work-life integration.
Critical Incident & Crisis Response: Support following traumatic events, operational disruptions, or workplace incidents to preserve mental health and operational readiness.
Manager & Peer Consultation: Resources for supervisory staff and peer support to recognize signs of concern, understand the program, and promote a healthy working environment.
Standards & Professional Guidelines
The EAP adheres to professional standards and guidelines to maintain excellence:
Are trained to meet competency requirements in assessment, referral, and workplace support functions.
Confidentiality is strictly maintained, with disclosure only as required by law or in cases of imminent risk.
Services are voluntary and free of charge for members and their families, with access designed to reduce barriers and stigma.
The program is coordinated in accordance with recognized standards for program design, management, evaluation and ethical practices.
When & Why You Should Access the EAP
You are encouraged to use the EAP when you:
Are facing personal or work-related stressors, such as fatigue, family concerns, life transitions, or emotional strain.
Have experienced or witnessed a traumatic or critical incident on duty or during layover.
Need guidance on legal, financial or caregiving concerns that affect your life and work performance.
Are a peer or manager seeking consultation on how to support a colleague, or seeking resources to strengthen team resilience.
Your early engagement with the program helps ensure our workplace remains safe, effective and supportive of all flight attendants.
Contacting the Committee
Hotline: 844-423-2232 Ext 5
Contact the AFA-CWA International EAP Department:
1-800-424-2406
EAP FAQs
About AFA-CWA Employee Assistance
Are EAP services confidential?
Yes! Your contacts and discussions with the EAP are confidential. Information is only released in accordance with federal and state confidentiality regulations.
Does the EAP cost anything?
No! Supported by your union dues since 1980, AFA-CWA’s nationally acclaimed EAP has provided free services to thousands of flight attendants, their families, and partners.
How do I access the EAP?
Many ways! You can contact your local peer representative directly or call the International helpline at 1-800-424-2406 or 202-434-0560 to help you access services. You can also visit the EAP Department website at to find a peer representative at your local.
When should I call the EAP?
Anytime! Or as soon as you, your partner, or family feel like a problem is getting too difficult to handle alone. No matter how small or large the problem may be, AFA-CWA EAP can help.
What happens when I call the EAP?
Good things! Your trained EAP peer representative can answer any questions you may have about EAP services available to you. The peer representative will listen to your concerns, answer any questions you may have, offer guidance and support, and assist you with locating resources. The only thing you have to lose is the problem.
What kind of training have the AFA EAP Reps had?
First, we look for someone who is committed and has the personal skills to handle the job; someone who is patient, non-judgmental, caring, organized, and has a clean work record. EAP Reps participate in specialized AFA training at a basic and advanced level.
Isn’t EAP just for people who have substance abuse and depression problems?
Absolutely not!!! AFA EAP provides resources and references for a broad range of life situations including: relationships, financial/legal, workplace trauma or other work-related issues (insurance questions, harassment, job stress, occupational injury, etc.) and professional standards, in additional to the help we offer with chemical dependency and emotional issues.
Is my problem big enough to call AFA EAP for help? When can I call?
No problem is too small for AFA EAP! In fact, we encourage flight attendants and their immediate families to call when a concern first develops. Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Usually the sooner you share a problem, the sooner you begin to find a solution. The AFA EAP offers a 24 hour help line for your convenience.
Who am I reaching when I dial the AFA EAP 800 number?
You are contacting the EAP department within the AFA International Headquarters in Washington, DC. This office is staffed by licensed and certified mental health professionals. They can offer resources as well as referrals to your AFA EAP Reps or mental health professionals in your geographic area.
How can I give the AFA feedback about my experience with the EAP?
You can call the International EAP office at (800) 424-2406 or e-mail