Mental Health Month theme addresses ‘where to start,’ includes building coping toolbox, more

It can be hard to know “where to start” (which is this year’s Mental Health Month theme) when it comes to taking care of mental health needs. This May, during Mental Health Month, Mental Health America (MHA) is encouraging individuals to build a coping toolbox to help manage stress, difficult emotions and challenging situations.

MHA states that “a coping toolbox is a collection of skills, techniques, items and other suggestions that you can turn to as soon as you start to feel anxious or distressed.” No two individuals are exactly alike, so the same things won’t work for everyone. However, building and having a coping toolbox on hand can help when mental health concerns start to be too much.

MHA’s “Where To Start: Building Your Coping Toolbox” PDF outlines ideas on how to build a toolbox and includes information on mood boosters, processing feelings, problem-solving, relaxation exercises and more. 

Additionally, MHA is offering several other “Where To Start” resources to help individuals navigate mental health needs or concerns should they arise, including:

• Decision Map: Where To Go — This map is a starting point to help individuals who have decided to seek help navigate paths to available resources and more.
• Letter: Time To Talk — Individuals can use this letter template to help them share their needs with someone they trust in a format that works for them, which could include text messages, an email, an actual letter, a face-to-face conversation, etc.
• Things You Can Say When You’re Not “Fine” — Sometimes it may seem easier to respond to a “How are you?” with “Fine,” even though you’re not. This resource gives examples of things to say that can help individuals express their need for help.
• Word Bank: What’s Underneath — Feelings are often difficult to explain. MHA offers this word bank to help individuals find the best way to accurately communicate what they are feeling, which can lead to them finding the help they need.

MHA’s full Mental Health Month toolkit, which includes the resources above and more, can be found here and is available for download.

Behavioral health providers for Purdue and Purdue Global employees

At Purdue and Purdue Global, the goal is to relieve employees of the stress that often comes with seeking mental health assistance so they can go beyond the surface and receive help. That’s possible through the university’s behavioral health providers specific to each campus or 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 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 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 & 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

Questions

Questions regarding Purdue’s behavioral health resources can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.