Improving, boosting self-esteem can positively impact behavioral health

International Boost Self-Esteem Month is observed each February as a way to help individuals focus more on themselves, which, in turn, should help improve their self-esteem and behavioral health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), low self-esteem isn’t categorized as a mental illness, but there are clear links between the way an individual feels about themselves and their overall mental and emotional well-being.

SupportLinc, provider of behavioral health services for the West Lafayette campus, offers a flash course titled “Improving Self-Esteem,” which provides information that can be used right away to increase self-esteem and improve the way individuals think about themselves. SupportLinc also offers self-confidence writing prompts to help boost self-esteem.

Additionally, the Healthy Boiler Portal offers a course titled “Strengthening Self-Esteem,” which can be found under the “University” link in the behavioral health section of courses.

Many other articles and resources are available to help build self-esteem, including Positive Psychology’s “15 Best Self-Esteem Worksheets and Activities” and NAMI’s “Why Self-Esteem is Important for Mental Health.” More information is available in Indeed’s “15 Ways to Boost Self-Esteem Quickly and Why It’s Important” and “Self-Esteem Isn’t Everything, but These 5 Tips can Give You a Boost” by Better Up.

Center for Healthy Living health coaches also are available to assist employees at the West Lafayette, Northwest (Hammond and Westville) and Fort Wayne campuses via phone or in person. Call 765-494-0111 to schedule with any of the CHL health coaches (Cheryl Laszynski, Whitney Soto, Felicia Warfield, Lindsay Bloom). Health coaches can meet with any benefits-eligible employee regardless of campus location and help them set goals, make plans and work toward improved self-esteem and overall wellness.

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

To assist faculty and staff

Faculty and staff can review the “Mental Health Resources” webpage for a variety of available resources, which also support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, and 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 mental health providers serving at various locations that are in-network with UHCSR 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 and Trainings
• Student of Concern Reporting 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
• TAO – web- and app-based mental health resource for students