World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10, with this year’s theme focusing on prioritizing mental health in the workplace. Purdue University has made significant strides over the past six years to enhance health and wellness across its community, emphasizing mental health. The university continues to expand and refine its resources, tools, and programs dedicated to the five pillars of its Healthy Boiler Program: behavioral health, financial wellness, physical health, social wellness, and work-life integration.
The behavioral health pillar fosters increased awareness and resource sharing, aimed at assisting faculty and staff who may face mental health challenges. Purdue and Purdue Global seek to alleviate the stress that often accompanies the pursuit of mental health support, allowing employees to go Beyond the Surface and obtain the help they need. This is facilitated through the university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which features behavioral health providers offering free and confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees and their dependents.
These providers deliver quality counseling sessions, either in-person or virtual, in a supportive and neutral environment, ensuring individuals can confront their issues without fear of judgment. Initiating contact is simple, as a phone call to a caring professional trained to assist in various matters is all it takes to begin.
Once employees engage with their behavioral health provider, they may also receive referrals to the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) for any long-term behavioral health support and care they may require.
For Purdue Global employees, EAP services are available through HealthAdvocate. However, it is important to note that Purdue Global employees do not qualify for care at the CHL and do not have access to the Healthy Boiler Program.
To further assist faculty and staff, a Mental Health Resources webpage offers a variety of tools and information related to the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program and the health plan coverage available for mental health and substance abuse.
For students seeking support, faculty and staff can guide them to available resources for behavioral health assistance. United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR), which serves as the medical plan provider for students and graduate students, has a network of 292 in-network mental health providers located throughout Tippecanoe County. Students also have access to HealthiestYou, which provides virtual mental health care as part of their insurance plan, with all services being free for those covered by UHCSR.
Additional support is available through the Office of the Dean of Students and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS).