Upcoming Boilermaker Half-Marathon & 5K supports behavioral health; discounted fees available

Human Resources is once again offering Purdue faculty and staff discounted registration fees for the 14th annual Purdue Boilermaker Half-Marathon & 5K, presented by Franciscan Health. The event takes place Oct. 18 at Purdue’s West Lafayette location and includes shirts and finisher medals. The event supports the behavioral health, financial wellness, physical health and social wellness pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), exercise has been researched and validated for treating a variety of mental issues and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, addictions, grief, relationship problems, dementia and personality disorders. See the 2023 “Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well-Being: A Review” article for key findings and data from recent research on the topic.

HelpGuide’s article “The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise” shares information on how exercise can boost mood and help individuals deal with depression, anxiety and more. Additionally, Healthline’s article “Exercise May Be More Effective Than Drugs for Managing Mental Health: What to Know” provides even more data-specific information on the benefits.

“Exercise is not just about building a stronger body; it’s also a powerful tool for boosting mood and supporting mental health,” said Whitney Soto, RN health coach at the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) at Purdue’s West Lafayette location. “Moving your body releases energy, clears your thoughts and activates neurotransmitters that have been proven to lift your mood, reduce stress and promote more restful sleep. When you discover a form of physical activity you enjoy, staying active becomes a source of enjoyment rather than just another task on your to-do list.”

The following fees and coupon codes for the 2025 Boilermaker Half-Marathon & 5K are valid through Sept. 30*:

• Half-Marathon Run ($35 + online processing fees)
  • Use coupon code — HealthyBoilerHalf
• 5k Run/Walk ($18 + online processing fees)
  • Use coupon code — HealthyBoiler5k

Register here.

*Coupon codes expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30. Starting Oct. 1, employees and staff will need to pay full price — no exceptions.

More information

• Questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.
• Visit the 2025 Purdue Boilermaker Half-Marathon & 5K webpage for event-specific information.

Additional Mental Health Resources

To assist faculty and staff

Review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of available resources for faculty and staff, including behavioral health resources for all Purdue campuses 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: UnitedHealthcare 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 & 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