World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10, and this year, the focus is on the theme: “It Is Time To Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” Purdue University has made significant strides over the past six years to enhance and prioritize mental health and overall wellness within its community. The university has been actively developing and refining resources, tools, and programs that promote health and wellness, aligned with the five pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program: behavioral health, financial wellness, physical health, social wellness, and work-life integration.
The behavioral health pillar aims to increase awareness and facilitate resource sharing to assist faculty and staff with any mental health issues that may arise.
At both Purdue and Purdue Global, there is a commitment to alleviating the stress employees often encounter when seeking mental health support, allowing them to go Beyond the Surface and access help. The university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a range of behavioral health providers who offer free, confidential counseling services for eligible employees and their dependents enrolled in a Purdue health plan.
These providers deliver quality counseling, either in-person or virtually, in a supportive environment where individuals can address their issues without fear of judgment. Initiating this support is as simple as making a phone call to a compassionate professional trained to assist with any concerns.
Once an employee connects with their campus’s behavioral health provider, they may also receive referrals to the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) for extended support and care if necessary.
For Purdue Global employees, EAP services are accessible through HealthAdvocate. It’s important to note that Purdue Global employees are not eligible for services at the CHL and do not have access to the Healthy Boiler Program.
To aid faculty and staff, a Mental Health Resources webpage is available, providing a variety of tools that support the behavioral health pillar and details on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse.
For students, faculty and staff can guide them to various resources for behavioral health assistance. United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR), the medical plan provider for students, offers access to 292 in-network mental health providers throughout Tippecanoe County. Additionally, students can utilize HealthiestYou, which provides virtual mental health care as part of UHCSR’s plan, with all services being free for UHCSR insurance plan-covered students.
Key resources include the Office of the Dean of Students and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS).