The National Council on Mental Well-Being points out that friendship is something that individuals never outgrow, and no matter what age or what’s going on, close, healthy friendships encourage positive mental health and well-being. Other mental health organizations also support this belief, and studies have show that “those who enjoy close friendships during the teenage years have a lower rate of depression or anxiety later in life.”
The six benefits of friendship, according to Healthline, are:
- Less loneliness and social isolation
- Reduced stress
- Emotional support
- Personal development
- A sense of belonging
- Support through challenges
More information can be found at “6 ways friendship is good for your health” article.
SupportLinc, the behavioral health services provider for Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, also has information on the topic available, including:
National Call a Friend Day is recognized each year on December 28 as a means to help friends stay connected with more than just a text message. Weekdays says voice-based communication is an important way to help people feel seen and heard, which can be especially important during the holiday season when anxiety and depression tend to affect many people. .
Mental Health First Aid
Connecting with friends can result in an opportunity to support a friend who is going through a difficult time. For those who are unsure of how to help or need guidance on how best to support a friend in need, Mental Health First Aid courses are a great resource to learn more.
Purdue Extension offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses to the campus community and throughout Indiana. Mental Health First Aid courses provide introductory education about several mental health issues. Next, Mental Health First Aid courses provide participants with tools to help someone in distress seek professional help, as well as tools for self-care. These courses also raise awareness and challenge the stigma associated with help-seeking and compliance behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program.
Purdue Extension offers two versions (virtual and in-person) of Mental Health First Aid:
- Adults (for adults who want to help other adults) and
- Youth (for adults who want to help children and teenagers)
Courses for adults and youth introduce common age-specific mental health challenges and contexts, review safe action planning steps, and cover topics such as anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, suicide, and more.
Advance registration and prior online work is required for Mental Health First Aid courses and the cost to attend is $20. Each course has a limited class size, so early registration is encouraged. The next courses for adults take place on 26 January and 27 January, as described below:
- January 26 – 9am to 4pm ET via Zoom. Register by January 12th. More information is available here.
- January 27 – 9am to 4pm ET at Bauer Family Resources, Lafayette. Register by January 13th. More information is available here.
To learn more about course options, continuing education opportunities, featured stories, and a list of all adult and youth courses, visit www.extension.purdue.edu/mhfa. Check the website frequently for updated course listings as they become available.
ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
To assist faculty and staff
Faculty and staff may review “Mental health resources” website for a variety of resources available, which also support behavioral health the pillar of Healthy Boiler Programand information on Purdue’s health plan coverage on mental health and substance abuse.
To help students
Faculty and staff who work with students or have a student at home can refer them to the following resources for behavioral health help. Note: United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) — the medical plan provider for undergraduate and graduate students — offers 292 unique mental health providers serving various locations that are in network with UHCSR within Tippecanoe County. The list is available here. In addition, students have access to The healthier you, which provides virtual access to mental health care as part of the SHBSHK plan. All services are free for students covered by the UHCSR insurance plan.
