Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day; Purdue has mental health resources available year-round

Each year, World Mental Health Day is recognized on Oct. 10. This year’s theme is “It Is Time To Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” Purdue University has actively taken steps over the last six years to improve and prioritize overall health and wellness, including mental health, for the Purdue community. The university continues to add and improve resources, tools and programs that support overall health and wellness, specifically focused on the five pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program — behavioral health, financial wellness, physical health, social wellness and work-life integration. 

The behavioral health pillar sets the stage for increased awareness and resource sharing to help faculty and staff with any mental health concerns that may arise.

At Purdue and Purdue Global, the goal is to relieve employees of the stress that often comes with seeking mental health assistance, so they can go Beyond the Surface and receive help. That’s possible through the university’s Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP’s) behavioral health providers — all of which offer free, confidential counseling for benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan:

• West Lafayette: SupportLinc
• Northwest: New Avenues
• Fort Wayne: Bowen Center

These providers offer quality counseling (in-person or virtual) in a neutral environment where individuals can work through issues without judgment. And getting started begins with a phone call — answered by a caring professional trained to help, no matter the issue.

Additionally, once an employee engages with the behavioral health provider for their campus, they can be referred to the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) behavioral health counselors for long-term behavioral health support and care if needed.

EAP services for Purdue Global employees are available via HealthAdvocate.  Note: Purdue Global employees are not eligible for care at the CHL and do not have access to the Healthy Boiler Program.

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES   

To assist faculty and staff   

Faculty and staff can review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of resources that support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, as well as for 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 and Trainings  
• Student of Concern Report link  

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  
• Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) — Web- and app-based mental health resource