National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month observed annually in June

To increase awareness and help spread the word, June is recognized as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. PTSD, is defined by the American Psychological Association as an anxiety problem that develops in some people after extremely traumatic events, such as combat, crime, accidents or natural disasters. While trauma is the root cause, it’s the overwhelming symptoms — including night sweats, panic attacks, flashbacks and more — that make the condition diagnosable.  

Trauma can affect everyone, veterans and nonveterans alike. Additionally, trauma seen or heard and not experienced first-hand can result in PTSD symptoms. However, not all trauma results in PTSD. And as part of PTSD Awareness Month, June 27 is known as PTSD Awareness Day as well as PTSD Screening Day. More information on screening is available via the Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD here.

The good news is treatments are available that can help individuals who suffer from PTSD. Treatment options include different types of trauma-focused psychotherapy — such as cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing — as well as medications to manage symptoms. For help determining if treatment / therapy is needed, the American Psychological Association’s “How Do I Know if I Need Therapy?” document offers guidance.

In support of the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, SupportLinc — provider of behavioral health services for Purdue’s West Lafayette campus — has a variety of resources available to help understand and learn more about PTSD, including: 

• After a tragedy: What kids can do
• Coping with a traumatic event
• Mindfulness practice in the treatment of traumatic stress
• Preserving your mental health

In addition, SupportLinc offers confidential and professional access to a SupportLinc care advocate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at no cost. Care advocates will be able to refer individuals to counselors who match both their clinical and cultural needs. 

To get started utilizing SupportLinc, 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.

To meet the needs of the busy, diverse population at Purdue, SupportLinc provides multiple convenient ways to receive care via phone, computer, tablet, etc. Icons across the top navigation of the SupportLinc web portal offer quick and easy access to nine points of contact. They are:

• Phone – reach a licensed counselor by phone 24/7/365 at 888-881-5462
• Text – exchange text messages, voice notes and resources Monday through Friday with a licensed counselor through the mobile and desktop app via Textcoach®
• NEW: Mindstream – a fitness studio for your mind where you can access live and on-demand sessions to build life skills and more
• Animo – personalized digital resource that strengthens mental health and overall well-being through a dynamic series of self-directed modules
• Email – contact support@curalinc.com for assistance
• Ask the expert: fill out a short form and a SupportLinc team member will reply within one business day
• Mobile app: eConnect® allows individuals to talk or chat directly with a SupportLinc counselor or schedule a time for SupportLinc to call them
• Mental Health Navigator: a short survey takes the guesswork out of emotional fitness as individuals receive personalized guidance for accessing program support and resources based on their survey
• Virtual Support Connect: anonymous group sessions offered on a variety of topics. Individuals are identified only by their avatar and avatar name. Once an avatar is created, individuals can select from a variety of session topics, which are rotated on an occasional basis so be sure to check back often for updates.

Additionally, the SupportLinc web portal provides access to thousands of articles, tip sheets and videos — like those above on PTSD — covering a wide array of health, well-being and work-life integration topics.

Behavioral health resources for regional and Purdue Global employees

• Bowen Center is the provider of behavioral health services for benefits-eligible employees and their families on the Fort Wayne campus. Call 800-342-5653 for assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• New Avenues provides behavioral health services to benefits-eligible employees and their families on the Northwest campuses (Hammond and Westville). A New Avenues care manager is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 800-731-6501 or 574-232-2131 for assistance.
• Health Advocate provides behavioral health services to Purdue Global employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 877-240-6863, email answers@HealthAdvocate.com or visit the website to get started. Enhanced virtual care is also available.

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 & 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