Resources available to help understand, navigate relationship between anger, depression

According to Psychology Today, anger is not listed as a symptom in the official guidelines for the diagnosis of depression. However, in recent years, there has been increased study of the association of anger and depression. Research and clinical observation have confirmed an association between depression and anger, and some studies highlight how anger can be a mask for depression. 

In support of the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, SupportLinc – provider of behavioral health services for Purdue’s West Lafayette campus – has a variety of resources available on its web portal to help with anger management, including:

• Depression and Verbal Abuse
• Flash Course: Anger Management
• Flash Course: Challenging Negative Thoughts
• Managing Anger Effectively
• Repressed Anger
• Quiz: Do You Know How to Walk Away From an Argument?
• Tips for Controlling Anger

In addition, SupportLinc offers confidential and professional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at no cost.

To get started using SupportLinc, call 888-881-5462 toll-free, or log in to the SupportLinc website or eConnect mobile app (available in the App Store and on Google Play) with username purdue.

Additionally, as clinicians have often found a link between substance abuse, mental health and anger issues, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers its anger management manual, which is a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach to help both patients and therapists.

De-escalation training in June

Another resource available to Purdue employees, courtesy of the Purdue police department, is online Verbal De-escalation (aka Verbal Judo) training, which is available in June via Webex.

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS

To assist faculty and staff

Review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of available resources for faculty and staff, including Employee Assistance Program 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 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% on the Purdue student health 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 locally and across the country.
• WellTrack – Interactive, self-help therapy app for students.