Depression Awareness Month observed each October; mental health resources available year-round

Recognized each October, Depression Awareness Month aims to increase understanding, reduce stereotypes and help educate on how depression and other mental illness can affect individuals.

The World Health Organization reports that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and according to the American Psychiatric Association, depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year and one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some point in their life.

While depression symptoms are unique to each individual, SupportLinc, behavioral health provider for the Purdue West Lafayette campus, lists common symptoms of depression as:

• Feeling overwhelming sadness, anxiety, hopelessness or “empty” feelings.
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, worthless or helpless.
• Loss of interest.
• Trouble making decisions, remembering or concentrating.
• Changes in sleep patterns.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss, or overeating and weight gain.
• Fatigue, loss of energy or lack of motivation.
• Chronic pain, headaches or digestive disorders that don’t go away with treatment.

Outside of professional treatment, there are some steps individuals can do on their own that may help combat their symptoms. They include:

• Being active.
• Breaking down big tasks into smaller tasks.
• Reaching out for support and spending time with loved ones.
• Putting off making major decisions until the individual is feeling better.
• Avoiding self-medicating.

And if or when an individual wants to speak with a licensed therapist, SupportLinc can help in a variety of ways. SupportLinc offers confidential and professional support, including the following resources, at no cost to eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan:

• Short-term counseling: Through SupportLinc, all employees and benefit-eligible family members may receive up to six in-person counseling sessions with a licensed clinician to address issues such as depression, stress, relationship problems, grief, substance abuse, anxiety or other emotional health concerns.
• Web portal: The SupportLinc web portal provides access to thousands of articles, tipsheets and videos covering a wide array of health, well-being and work-life integration topics. The site also contains child and elder care search engines, reference libraries, legal and financial resources, self-improvement programs, and educational training modules.
• Mobile app: The SupportLinc eConnect® mobile app allows you to talk or chat directly with a SupportLinc counselor or schedule a time for SupportLinc to call you.
• Text therapy: Exchange text messages, voicenotes and resources Monday through Friday with a licensed counselor for up to six weeks, through the Textcoach® mobile and desktop app.
• Animo: Animo is SupportLinc’s personalized digital resource that strengthens mental health and overall well-being through a dynamic series of self-directed modules.
• Navigator: Take the guesswork out of emotional fitness. Click the Navigator icon on the web portal or mobile app, complete a short survey and receive personalized guidance for accessing program support and resources.

To get started, call 888-881-5462, or log in to the SupportLinc website or eConnect® mobile app (available in the App Store and on Google Play) with username purdue. 

More information on depression is accessible via the following sources:

SupportLinc

(Note: After logging in to the web portal, you can search for anything on your mind, including “depression,” which will offer a plethora of resources such as the following:)

• Depression
• Depression on the job
• Depression screening
• Is your picky eater at risk for depression?

MedicalNewsToday

• How do I know I am feeling depressed?
• How does depression affect the body?
• Recognizing the hidden signs of depression

Other organizations with resources to help educate and assist those interested in learning more about or finding help managing depression and other mental health concerns include: Active Minds, Mental Health America (MHA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), The Trevor Project and more.

The resources above and below all support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program.

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

To assist faculty and staff

Review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of available resources for faculty and staff, including behavioral health resources for all Purdue campuses and information on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse. 

To assist students

Faculty and staff who work with students or have a student at home can direct them to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) — medical plan provider for students and graduate students — offers 292 unique in-network mental health providers serving at various locations within Tippecanoe County. The list is available here. Additionally, students have access to HealthiestYou, which provides virtual access to mental health care as part of UHCSR’s plan. All services are free for students covered under the UHCSR insurance plan. 

Office of the Dean of Students:

• Continuous Network of Support
• Services and Information
• Presentations & Trainings
• Reporting a Student Concern or Issue

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS):

• Therapy Services at CAPS
• Self-help Resources
• Group Therapy
• CAPS YouTube channel
• NAMI On Campus — a free, virtual support group on campus
• Thriving Campus — service that provides students a way to search for mental health providers in many areas, locally and across the country
• TAO — web and app-based mental health resource