Mentoring benefits mental health; January is National Mentoring Month

Nearly 40 years ago, Kathy Kram’s qualitative research identified two broad functions of mentoring in the workplace: career and psychosocial support, both peaking during the cultivation period of the mentoring relationships. Mentoring support both at work and in an individual’s personal life can support behavioral health (one of the pillars of Purdue’s Healthy Boiler Program) and have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. After all, the concept of mentoring is about helping people.

To highlight the importance of mentoring, National Mentoring Month was established in January 2002. Coordinated by Mentoring.org, National Mentoring Month raises awareness about the positive outcomes of mentoring and encourages mentoring across all industries.

According to Guider, some ways mentoring can benefit mental health include: 

• Reducing anxiety
• Helping individuals feel less isolated
• Increasing self-confidence
• Providing a safe space of trust

More information on mentoring is available from a variety of sources, including:

• How Mentoring Can Have a Positive Impact on Mental Health – Mentoring Complete
• How Mentoring Can Maximize the Benefits of Counseling – American Counseling Association
• Mentoring FAQs – Guider
• National Mentoring Resource Center – provides resources, research tools, blog and more
• The Positive Impact of Mentoring on Mental Health – Linkedin
• Helping Your Child Find a Mentor – SupportLinc (login required)
• Resource Library – Mentor National (provides access to webinars, guides, toolkits and more)

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 & 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
• WellTrack – Interactive, self-help therapy app for students