Cares - College of Engineering - Purdue University

Students' mental health and well-being are a priority for the College of Engineering at Purdue. Inspired by a dream of the Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC), the Community, Assistance and Resources for Engineering Students (CARES) was created to build lifelong thriving Boilermaker engineers by developing awareness, well-being and community through educational outreach, peer mentoring, easy access to mental health resources, and social connection.

CARES offers a dedicated space, the CARES Hub, in Room 1261 of the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering (ARMS), where engineering students can relax, study, and connect. In addition, CARES provides accessible support for students' well-being and mental health through on-site therapy, peer mentoring, wellness education, and social activities.

Searching for Purdue's Center for Advocacy, Response & Education (CARE)? Visit the CARE website.

These pages are regularly updated with additional resources and upcoming events.

Fall 2026

CARES Hub study space

• Open: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday (ARMS 1261, 1264)
• Closed: Saturday-Sunday; Sept. 7 (Labor Day); Oct. 12-13 (fall break); Nov. 23-27 (Thanksgiving break); Dec. 21-Jan. 8 (winter break)

"Check-in and chat"

"Check-in and chat" is set aside for engineering students to walk in without an appointment and speak with a CARES staff member about anything from problems with roommates to managing stress. CARES staff will listen, support and provide guidance. "Check-in and chat" is not therapy. It is a time to talk over problems, when needed, with a trained, supportive CARES professional staff member.

Engineering therapist "check-in and chat" hours (Starts Aug. 24, 2026)

• 1-2 p.m. Monday-Friday (ARMS 1251)

Social work graduate student intern's "check-in and chat" (Starts Sept. 8, 2026)

• 10:30-11:30 a.m. (LMBS 2243), 12:30-1:30 p.m. (ME 3057) Tuesday

• Noon-1 p.m. (ARMS 1264) Wednesday
• 1-2 p.m. (DUDL 3450), 2:30-3:30 p.m. (LMBS 2243) Thursday

Need more information? Contact CARES Director Kristy Eaton at kmeaton@purdue.edu.

What is peer mentoring?

Peer mentoring is a relationship between two engineering students in which one person has more experience than the other in areas like engineering coursework, internships and, in the case of the CARES Hub, knowledge about integrating mental health and personal well-being practices with the rigorous demands of academic life in the College of Engineering.

Why seek out a peer mentor?

As human beings, we are hard wired for connection and to navigate life’s challenges together. There is no need to navigate life as an engineering student alone. Working together uplifts both the student and the mentor!

The benefits of peer mentoring

• Offers confidential support that is free of judgment
• Offers an avenue for self-reflection and problem-solving
• Helps students stay accountable toward their academic and well-being goals
• Provides students with campus and local area resources for success
• Offers support via in-person, virtual, text, email and phone call modalities
• Tailored to meet students’ unique needs whether short-term or longer term

Meet our CARES Hub mentors

Our CARES peer mentors are Purdue engineering students who have been where you are! They are experienced engineering students with a commitment to mental health and well-being. They have a deep desire to mentor engineering students who could use a listening ear, some support and guidance.

Our engineering student mentors have completed a semester long two-credit hour peer educator course, passed a national certification exam and are nationally certified peer educators. They are committed to helping fellow engineering students be successful both academically and related to their well-being. Our peer mentors are trustworthy, great listeners, communicators and super supportive!