Group support for behavioral health available via SupportLinc’s Digital Group Support feature

As the behavioral health option for Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, SupportLinc offers a variety of ways to obtain mental health care and support. A new addition to the SupportLinc platform is the Digital Group Support option.

Digital Group Support provides 30-minute, anonymous group sessions on a variety of topics. Individuals are identified only by their avatar and avatar name, both of which they select. Once an avatar is created, individuals can select from a variety of session topics and schedule to attend a session or sessions. Sessions are offered multiple times each month on a variety of topics. Current topics are:

• Avoiding addiction.
• Caregiver support.
• Coping with stress.
• Grief.
• Mindfulness.
• Preventing burnout.
• Self-care.
• Sleep fitness.

Session topics are updated on occasion; check back often for new options.  

“When it comes to mental health care, every individual is unique in what they need and how they want to obtain and receive that care,” says Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “For those who prefer group settings, but also want to protect their anonymity, the Digital Group Support feature offers a way to interact with and learn from others in a structured setting without having to worry about privacy. It also aligns with the Healthy Boiler Program’s behavioral health pillar, which advocates for integrated care programs that focus on behavioral health and community support.”

Click the Digital Group Support icon on the top of the web portal’s home page to get started.

In addition, the SupportLinc web portal provides access to thousands of articles, tip sheets 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 and more.

All requests for information or assistance through the SupportLinc program are free of charge and completely confidential. Employees can contact SupportLinc anytime, around-the-clock, 365 days a year.

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 resources for all Purdue campuses, information on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse as well as behavioral health referral locations for the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest campuses. 

To assist students

Faculty and staff, who work with students or have a student at home, can direct students to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: LiveHealth Online Psychology and LiveHealth Online Psychiatry services are also available to Purdue students who are covered on a Purdue health plan. Mental health visits through LiveHealth Online are covered at 100% on the Purdue student health plan.  

Office of the Dean of Students

• Continuous Network of Support
• Services and Information
• Presentations & Trainings
• Student of Concern Reporting 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.
• WellTrack – Interactive, self-help therapy app for students.