Mental Health Month takes a look at modern life’s effects on mental health, ways to cope

Mental Health America recognizes Mental Health Month every May, and this year’s theme is “Where to Start.” A part of that is helping individuals learn how modern life affects mental health and how they can navigate a changing world.

MHA’s 4 Things Likely Affecting Your Mental Health, and 4 Things You Can Do About It outlines current events, technology, loneliness and social drivers that could be affecting mental well-being and examines ways individuals can help themselves with those aspects of life by finding a support system, setting tech limits and boundaries, changing what is possible and finding healthy coping skills.

Additionally, news coverage is accessible 24/7 and much coverage is negative. MHA’s Negative News Coverage and Mental Health explains how such coverage can impact mental health and how individuals can protect their mental health in the face of so much adversity.

As part of Mental Health Month, MHA has created a toolkit to help individuals figure out where to start when it comes to mental health needs and concerns. The toolkit provides free, practical resources for addressing mental health. Go to mhanational.org/may to learn more.

And remember, Purdue and Purdue Global employees have access to providers specific to each campus/location — all of which offer free, confidential counseling for benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan:

• West Lafayette: SupportLinc (code for new registrants: “purdue”)
• Northwest: New Avenues
• Fort Wayne: Bowen Center
• Purdue Global: Health Advocate

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES  

To assist faculty and staff  

Faculty and staff can review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of resources that support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, as well as for 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 in-network mental health providers serving at various locations 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 and Trainings 
• Student of Concern Report 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 
• Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) — Web- and app-based mental health resource