Well-being Programs offers different ways for you to engage your work in student well-being. You are invited to explore the options below to better learn about our partnerships and ways to collaborate.

Well-being Discussion Tips

Curated well-being topic are provided below with talking points and discussion tips included.

Talking Tips for:

General Discussion Tips

Regardless of the topic of conversation, there are some tools you can use to best show a student support. Watch the video below for some conversational tips. Then read some of the tips below.

Click to watch a video on conversational tips.

When supporting a student, try to use as many of these tips:

Put away distractions and give your student your full attention
Be honest about your own limitations
- E.g. "I want to hear you out, but please know I only have 5 minutes before my next meeting. I am happy to schedule a follow up meeting during office hours, if there is more you want to share?"
Don't approach the speaker as a person to "fixed" but rather enter with curiosity
Don't interrupt
Summarize what you've heard using your own words

Sleep

Sleep plays a vital role in both mental and physical health. Share the sleep tips below with students to help them understand the importance of good sleep habits:

Click to see sleep tips!

Traumatic Events

Sometimes a student may approach you after a big life event. You can use the tips from the office of the Dean of Students when supporting such a student.

Click for tips on how to help students manage traumatic events from the Office of the Dean of Students.

Stress

Use this infographic for basic talking points when discussing stress with a student. Remember that you do not have to be the expert, just someone willing to listen and refer when needed.

This self-care guide can lead students through reflections on stress management and lead to conversation topics.

Encourage students to use the self-help resources provided by CAPS.

If you want more talking points (and tips for improving your own relationship to stress!) check out the below video.

Alcohol and Substance Use

Talking to a student about substance use can seem daunting. Luckily, CAPS has great guidance for having successful conversations.

The below table highlights some helpful language to use when having supporting conversations about substance use disorders.

Phrases to Avoid when Discussing Substance Use
Negative Connotations	Instead, Consider Using
"Druggie, addict, user, junkie, abuser"	"Person with substance use disorder"
"Drug habit"	"Disease"
"Ex-addict"	"Person living in recovery"
"Drug offender"	"Person arrested for a drug violation"
"Hooked"	"Substance dependent"
"Medication is a crutch"	"Medication is a treatment tool"
"Relapsed"	"Had a set back"
"Stayed clean/clean"	"Maintained recovery"
"Dirty drug screen"	"Positive drug screen"

For your own well-being when having these conversations, remember:

Don't feel as if it is solely your responsibility to help. If you think the student could benefit from other campus resources, fill out this student of concern report. By filling out the report, the Dean of Students Office will connect the student to campus resources.

Vaping and E-cigarettes

To understand the vaping safety, it is crucial to also understand the different vaping methods and products. You can click these talking points to share with students what is inside a vape. Click to see how the cost of vaping can be a compelling incentive to consider quitting. Students can also come to the Wellness Suite in RecWell to discuss options further.

Classroom Resources

Welcome/Announcement Slides

Students may want support for their well-being but don't know where to turn. You can help by posting this slide deck in meeting spaces, classrooms, or group events.

Click to use this slide deck for class announcements.

Wellness Presentations

Request a well-being presentation for your class. Well-being Programs staff will present over a topic of your choice. Potential topics include stress, finances, nutrition, sleep, and much more. Click here to get started.

Extra Credit

A 2025 survey of 729 Boilermakers found that a majority of students feel that do not get an adequate amount of support for their well-being. Instructors are invited to partner with Well-being Programs in encouraging well-being by assigning extra credit for attending well-being events. Instructors often have more interactions with students than support staff. Serving as a main influence in students' lives, instructors can encourage positive interaction with campus support services.

If you are interested in offering extra credit to students who engage with well-being resources, please complete this course sign up form. During sign up you can choose from several attendance tracking options to ensure accurate extra credit tracking.

Perspective Project

With the launch of the Steps to Leaps Perspective Project in Fall 2023, Purdue instructors (tenure-track, clinical, lecturers) have the opportunity to receive resources and support to more actively integrate the S2L pillars into two of their courses. Integrating well-being content and reflection into your courses can positively contribute to the overall campus climate.

Click to learn more about the Perspective Project and how to apply.

Well-being Newsletters

Steps To Leaps Well-being Tips

Steps to Leaps offers many well-being tips for personal use and for sharing with others. You can subscribe to the Steps to Leaps newsletter to stay updated on well-being initiatives and research opportunities.

Trainings

Currently Available Courses

Recovery Ally Training

For students in recovery from substance use, college can be a trying and triggering time. Complete the Recovery Ally training to learn how to support students in recovery and how to reduce stigma on campus. To request a training, please use the Wellness on Demand request form and choose "Trainings" when selecting a wellness topic.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid is a program designed to help community members identify, understand and respond to mental illness while also increasing awareness of available resources. For more information on this training, click to visit the CAPS website.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

This ninety minute training helps Purdue community members learn to recognize the warning signs for suicide and assist those in need. To learn more about this training, click to visit the CAPS website.