Resources available to help individuals with holiday-related stress

These resources support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program.

Holiday season is here, and often it can bring stress, depression, anxiety and more. As holidays such as Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa approach, recognizing the need for self-care and the role mental health plays in daily routines is especially invaluable.    

“Holidays can be stressful and emotional due to familial or work expectations and grief that may come along with the end of the year,” says Melissa Covarrubias, behavioral health counselor at the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. “It is important to identify appropriate expectations for yourself in regard to physical and mental health when it comes to extra events or tasks that are associated with this time of the year.”

SupportLinc, the employee assistance program for the West Lafayette campus, shares the following resources to help individuals with their mental health during the holidays:

• EAP counseling – Variety of ways to acquire mental health assistance.
• In-the-moment support – Reach a licensed clinician by phone 24 hours a day at 888-881-5462.
• Web portal – username: purdue
• SupportLinc eConnect® mobile app – username: Purdue University
• Textcoach– Exchange text messages, voicenotes and resources.
• Animo – Personalized digital resource offering self-directed modules.
• Navigator – Complete a short survey and receive personalized guidance for accessing program support and resources.
• Flash course: ’Tis the Season: How to Survive the Holidays video
• Holiday stress article
• Monthly feature article

“Even though the holidays represent time for loved ones, it is OK to give yourself some extra time for self-care to decompress from stress during the season,” Covarrubias says. “Remind yourself that it is OK to put yourself first and say ‘no’ to things or people which may increase your depression and anxiety during this time of year.”

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

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. Resources are available to faculty, staff and students at Purdue. The Mental Health Resources webpage 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.