Mental Health America provides help, assistance in variety of ways

Among the resources available to assist with mental health well-being, Mental Health America (MHA) is among the most well-known. As the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness, MHA provides a variety of resources, trainings, information, screening tools and more, including:

• 2021 The State of Mental Health In America report – Per MHA, “We believe that gathering and providing up-to-date data and information about disparities faced by individuals with mental health problems is a tool for change.”
• BIPOC Mental Health – A hub created by MHA that focuses on individuals and families with a variety of backgrounds, diverse values, beliefs, sexual orientations, race, ethnicity, religion and language.
• Doing Things on Your Own (DIY) – MHA provides access to a variety of DIY tools to help individuals answer questions and learn more about mental health-related topics.
• Live Mentally Healthy – Includes resources on How Stress Hurts, Stay Positive, Get Professional Help and more.
• Mental Health and COVID – Provides information and resources specific to mental health and COVID-19, including blogs and webinars.
• Online Mental Health Screenings – MHA provides access to many mental health screenings as well as information to help individuals decide which screenings they should take. These quick screenings cover depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction and more. The Work Health Survey, also included in this section, is used to help MHA identify strategies to help companies do better and is updated annually.
• Resources for Immediate Response – This section provides a list of resources such as the Trans Lifeline, Disaster Distress Helpline, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line.

MHA affiliates

Purdue employees at the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest campuses have local access to Mental Health America services through MHA affiliates in those areas:

• MHA Wabash Valley Region – Lafayette, Indiana.
• MHA of Northeast Indiana – Fort Wayne, Indiana.  
• MHA of Northwest Indiana – Hammond, Indiana.

MHA affiliates exist nationwide and can be located via MHA’s Find An Affiliate search.

Crisis Center Hotline

MHA’s Crisis Center Hotline can be reached at 765-742-0244 (call or text) or toll-free at 877-419-1632 for any problem at any time. Individuals also can text “MHA” to 741741 for immediate assistance.

Questions

Any questions regarding benefits coverage and/or mental health resources available to faculty, staff and dependents can be directed to Human Resources at hr@purdue.edu, HRHelp (secure email) or by phone at 765-494-2222 or toll-free at 877-725-0222.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH

Faculty and staff resources

As one of the five pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program, behavioral health plays a key role in overall employee well-being. Referred to by many names – behavioral health, mental health, emotional well-being and more -- one thing is certain, it’s important, and resources are available to faculty, staff and students at Purdue.

• A recent email -- Mental Health Impacts Overall Health -- provides a quick look at a variety of resources.
• The Mental Health Resources webpage also offers a list of resources offered via Purdue and the community.

To assist students

Faculty and staff who work with students or have a student at home can direct students to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: LiveHealth Online Psychology and LiveHealth Online Psychiatry services are also available to Purdue students who are covered on a Purdue health plan. Mental health visits through LiveHealth Online are covered at 100 percent on the Purdue student health plan.   

Office of the Dean of Students

• Continuous Network of Support
• Services and information
• Presentations and trainings
• Student of Concern reporting link

Counseling and 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.
• WellTrack – Interactive, self-help therapy app.