World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10, and this year’s theme emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing mental health in the workplace. Purdue University has been actively enhancing its initiatives over the past six years to bolster overall health and wellness, with a particular focus on mental health for its community. The university continues to develop and refine resources, tools, and programs aimed at promoting health and wellness, based on the five pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program, which includes behavioral health, financial wellness, physical health, social wellness, and work-life integration.
The behavioral health pillar aims to raise awareness and share resources to assist faculty and staff with any mental health issues they may encounter. At Purdue and Purdue Global, the objective is to ease the stress associated with seeking mental health support, allowing employees to seek assistance effectively. The university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) includes behavioral health providers that offer free and confidential counseling for eligible employees and their dependents enrolled in a Purdue health plan.
These providers ensure high-quality counseling, available both in-person and virtually, in a supportive environment where individuals can address their concerns without fear of judgment. To initiate support, individuals only need to make a phone call to reach a trained professional who can assist with various issues.
Moreover, once an employee connects with the behavioral health provider assigned to their campus, they may be referred to the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) for extended behavioral health support and care, if necessary. It’s important to note that Purdue Global employees utilize HealthAdvocate for EAP services and do not have access to CHL or the Healthy Boiler Program.
For further assistance, faculty and staff can explore the Mental Health Resources webpage, which lists various resources aligned with the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program and information regarding mental health and substance abuse coverage through Purdue’s health plan.
Additionally, faculty and staff who support students can direct them to behavioral health resources. United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR), which serves as the medical plan provider for students, has 292 in-network mental health providers located throughout Tippecanoe County. Students also have access to HealthiestYou, offering virtual mental health care as part of UHCSR. All services are provided free of charge for students under the UHCSR insurance plan.
Resources available include the Office of the Dean of Students and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS).