Podcast to provide insights, resources on student mental health, substance abuse

The Campus Coalition on Mental Health and Substance Use has launched a podcast to help equip faculty and staff with essential information concerning student mental health and substance use.

The "Purdue Campus Community Essentials" podcast, which is available on Spotify, offers a short episode each month providing information on how best to support students. The podcast is hosted by Will Evans, senior assistant director of wellness programs in Recreation & Wellness, and Leslie Charters, director of Student Legal Services. A West Lafayette staff member is invited for each episode to talk about mental health, substance abuse and campus resources.

The first two episodes covered:

• "Student Legal Services," highlighting the Student Legal Services office and explaining alcohol and drug policy.
• “Students in Crisis," focusing on how to help students in crisis and what campus resources are available. Featuring Steven Yeagley, associate dean of students – crisis management.

Topics for the new year include “What is Student Support Services,” breaking down services in the Office of the Dean of Students and how faculty and staff can use them to help students, and “Safe Partying Tips,” offering simple ways to host a party that is responsible and welcoming for all involved.

The Campus Coalition on Mental Health and Substance Use is an interdepartmental group of faculty and staff spanning 15 offices who work to address substance use and mental health concerns on campus. Coalition members collaborate to spread positive messages, create healthy cultures and provide resources to faculty and staff on Purdue's West Lafayette campus.

For more information on the podcast, contact Evans at evans240@purdue.edu.