Emotional and mental wellness are essential for a healthy work-life balance, and members of The Animation Guild have access to numerous free and low-cost benefits to help in these areas. Below is a list of resources for therapy sessions, behavioral health services, meditation classes, and much more.
Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans (MPI) Benefits
Depending on the health plan you have chosen as an MPI Participant, you are eligible for different benefits.
- Optum Live and Work Well is available to Participants and their eligible dependents who are enrolled in the MPI/Anthem Blue Cross Plan. To learn more, go to the Optum website. Select “Browse with an access code” and enter MPIPHP. Some sections are fully accessible with just this code. Other sections require setting up an account and logging in. We recommend setting up an account to view all of the benefits you are eligible for. Select benefits are listed below.
- TAG members who reside in California also have a choice of one of two Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans offered through Health Net and Kaiser Permanente. Both of these plans offer emotional and mental health benefits. You can find more information about these plans below.
Anthem Blue Cross - Optum Live and Work Well
- No-Cost Therapy Sessions
As an MPIPHP Participant, you are eligible for 5 EAP (Employee Assistance Program) sessions with a licensed therapist or psychologist at no cost, per year. These sessions can be by phone, video chat, or in person, depending on the therapist.
Getting authorization:
- Log in to the Live and Work Well
- Choose Emotional Wellbeing Solutions. You might be asked to enter your user name again.
- Choose See All My Benefits.
- Choose Emotional Support Wellbeing Digital Authorization. You will be asked to fill out a series of forms to activate this benefit.
Finding an authorized therapist:
- Log in to the Live and Work Well
- Choose Emotional Wellbeing Solutions. You might be asked to enter your user name again.
- Choose See All My Benefits.
- Choose Provider Finder.
- Choose Allow Location While Browsing to find specific providers in your area.
- Choose a category to view all providers who are qualified to address that area of expertise. For example: Stress and Anxiety.
- Click on the All Filters button.
- Choose Employee Assistance Program accepted. This is important because the EAP service only covers master level counselors, social workers, and psychologists. Psychiatrists are not covered.
- You can now browse authorized mental health care providers based on a map of your area.
For questions about this benefit, call 888-661-9141 and ask for the EAP department.
- $5 Co-Pay Therapy Sessions
As an MPIPHP Participant, you are eligible for $5 co-pay sessions for Optum Behavioral Health Therapy for stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, autism spectrum disorder, and more.
- Log in to the Live and Work Well
- Choose Continue to Live and Work Well.
- Choose View My Benefits.
- Choose Care.
- Scroll down and choose Search for a Provider.
- Choose Allow Location While Browsing to find specific providers in your area.
- Within this section you will find a list of in-network mental health care providers. All providers in this section are covered by your $5 co-pay, but you should confirm this before you begin by calling MPI Participant Services at 855-275-4674.
If you have questions about your benefit coverage, choose “benefits” at the top of the page and then “Coverage and Eligibility.” This allows you to see benefit coverage for you and any other Participants covered under your plan.
For additional questions about who else is your household is eligible, call MPI Participant Services at 855-275-4674.
For questions about this benefit, call 888-661-9141.
- Free 24/7 Phone Counselors
Participants and their family members are able to speak with free Emotional Wellness Support Specialists 24/7 for in-the-moment support. This includes children with no age limit. Verbal parental consent for children who are under the age of 16 will be required during the first EWS session. To speak with an Emotional Wellbeing Support Specialist, call 888-876-7830.
- Press 2 to select yourself or a family member.
- Press 1 for benefits.
- Ask to speak to a counselor for in-the-moment support.
Please note that this number is not for emergency mental health care needs. For emergencies, press 1.
- TalkSpace Therapy App
TalkSpace can be used as an alternative or in addition to face-to-face therapy. It provides access to more than 4,000 licensed providers across the United States. You can send texts or audio or video messages and receive responses daily, five days a week. Or you can schedule real-time video sessions as needed. Once you sign up, you can begin therapy within hours of selecting a provider. Most sessions are a $5 co-pay; you will be informed up-front if the cost might or will be more. It’s a good idea to contact MPI Participant Services at 855-275-4674 before you begin this process and ask what your deductible is.
Use the Talkspace app:
- Download Talkspace Therapy and Support.
- Create an account. You will need your Member ID on your insurance card. (This is not your MPI Participant number.)
Use Talkspace in your Internet browser:
- Log in to the Live and Work Well website.
- Choose Emotional Wellbeing Solutions. You might be asked to enter your user name again.
- Choose See All My Benefits.
- Choose Therapy Made Easier with Talkspace. This takes you to the Talkspace website where you will select a plan (Optum) and click Get Started.
- Enter your member ID and information. (This is your MPI Participant number, not the number on your insurance card.)
- From the menu, select the reason you are seeking help.
- Answer a series of questions to help find the best therapist for your needs. Your coverage will be explained before you connect with a therapist.
- Choose live video or live audio.
- Pay your co-pay amount.
- Continue to follow the prompts to find a therapist.
- Calm App
Calm app memberships are free for you and up to 5 of your loved ones. This app provides resources for stress relief, healthy sleep, and mindful living.
- Download and open the Calm app.
- Create an account with a personal email address and go to Profile > Settings > Link Organization Subscription.
- Click on Redeem via Group Code.
- Enter Group Code: FreeCalmMPI
Kaiser Permanente
- In-Network $15 Co-Pay Therapy Sessions
Under the Kaiser HMO, in-network individual therapy sessions have a $15 co-pay. In-network group therapy sessions have a $7 co-pay. Out-of-network providers are not covered. You do not need prior authorization from your primary care physician to receive mental health services at Kaiser facilities. You can search for in-network providers by visiting Kaiser Permanente Health & Wellness or by calling Kaiser member services at 800-464-4000.
- Emotional and Mental Wellness Resources
Among the wellness tools and resources offered by Kaiser Permanente are support groups and online assessments for anxiety and depression. In addition, you can reach out 24/7 to speak with a licensed care clinician to help guide you to services or resources. For 24/7 help, call 833-574-2273 (TTY 711). For more information about wellness programs, go to the Kaiser tools and resources page.
- Emotional Wellness & Self-Care Apps
Kaiser Permanente offers free subscriptions to the digital self-care apps Calm and Headspace. Instructions for accessing these apps an be found on their digital resources page.
Health Net
- In-Network $15 Co-Pay Therapy Sessions
Under the Health Net HMO, mental health benefits are run through Managed Health Network (MHN). In-network individual therapy sessions have a $15 copay. In-network group therapy sessions have a $7.50 copay. Out-of-network providers are not covered. You do not need prior authorization from your primary care physician to receive mental health services. To search for in-network therapists, visit mhn.com or contact MHN at 888-926-5133.
- No-Cost Emotional Wellness Programs
Through Health Net’s Health and Wellness benefits, members have access to Share Care. This resource offers wellness tools for a healthy lifestyle, including emotional wellness tools.
Additional MPI Benefits
- MPI Wellness Classes on Zoom
MPI’s free Zoom wellness classes include blissful yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, and more for balanced mind, body, and spirit.
- Meditation Awareness Research Center
TAG members enjoy access the UCLA MARC (Meditation Awareness Research Center) meditation library with drop-in meditation sessions and guided meditations.
Behind the Scenes
- What is Behind the Scenes?
Launched in 2019, Behind the Scenes is a mental health and suicide prevention initiative with a focus on the unique nature of the entertainment industry: longer hours, stressful deadlines, etc. The program partnered with numerous organizations, including IATSE which has been involved from the start—IATSE (as well as OSHA) consider mental health and emotional wellness a priority. These partners are a mix of industry professionals combining forces to provide tools and resources.
- Find an Industry-Specific Therapist
In an initial survey of entertainment industry professionals, Behind the Scenes found a common theme: It’s frustrating to have a therapist who doesn’t understand the unique stress of what you do for a living. In response, Behind the Scenes created the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder. The Finder only includes listings for mental health professionals who have previously worked with clients in the entertainment industry or who have personal professional experience in the industry themselves.
Make sure to contact MPI at 855-275-4674 to confirm that a therapist is covered by your insurance.
- Counseling Grants
Behind the Scenes provides various grants for mental health and other issues. Counseling grants are for those who can’t afford the cost of therapy, in-patient rehab, or out-patient rehab. The basic requirement for a grant is that you’ve earned a living in the entertainment industry for a minimum of 5 years.
Motion Picture & Television Fund
- Confidential Counseling
MPTF is dedicated to providing safe, supportive, inclusive counseling. Their highly trained social workers are available to help you manage stress, improve work-life balance, cope with life transitions, and more. These social workers offer confidential help and seek to find solutions that best meet your unique circumstance and needs. Learn more at the MPTF Services page. For assistance, call 323-634-3888 (under 65) or 323-634-3866 (over 65).