Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based certificate training that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use concerns. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

Approximately one in five Americans experience a mental illness or mental health concern in a single year, but many are reluctant to seek help or don鈥檛 know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.

The University of Wyoming Campus Recreation & Wellness Center offers Adult MHFA Training for students, staff, faculty, and general UW community members at no cost! We offer the training in a blended format, meaning there is a 2-hour online self-paced portion followed by a 7-hour in-person training. Each training is facilitated by 2 certified MHFA Instructors. 

MHFA Training Schedule

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Health Insurance Premium Program through Wellness In the West

Discounted Half Acre Memberships for full Time Faculty & Staff

The University of Wyoming is committed to promoting the health and well-being of its benefited employees. To support this commitment, a health insurance premium program aimed at encouraging mental health training and campus recreation participation. This program supports employee use the University鈥檚 fitness and wellness programs at Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center.

To be eligible for the Health Insurance Premium program, employees must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a benefited employee of 蜜芽TV.
  • Be enrolled in the State of Wyoming Employee Group Insurance (EGI) benefits.
  • Purchase the annual Campus Recreation membership and sign up for payroll deduction.
  • Opt for monthly payroll deduction.
  • The only eligible employee if you have split coverage is the primary EGI holder.

  • Health Insurance Premium Credit: Employees who complete Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training will receive a monthly premium credit of $20 per policy applied through payroll. This brings the price of membership down to less than $10/month!
  • Grandfathering Clause: Employees who have already completed MHFA training will be grandfathered into the program for one year and recieve the premium credit of $20 per month.
  • Ongoing Training Opportunity: After the first biennium, UW will look into further opportunities to provide ongoing health and wellness training with the hopes of maintaining the premium credit.

  • Premium Credit Activation: The premium credit will start the month after the completion of MHFA training and signing up for the corresponding Wellness in the West Payroll Deduction membership at Half Acre Gym. The credit will be applied for a rolling 12-month period as long as the employee maintains Campus Recreation membership, University of Wyoming Employment, and maintain primary status on their Employee Group Insurance (EGI) enrollment.

  1. To first enroll, take the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) through the Campus Recreation Wellness Center.
  2. We鈥檒l confirm your eligibility for the program with HR.
  3. After completing MHFA, you may sign up for the Wellness in the West Payroll Deduction Membership at the Half Acre Front Desk after receiving an email from the Members Services Coord. at Half Acre.
  4. The month after signing up, you鈥檒l receive a monthly reimbursement of $20 applied through your payroll.
    1. Once you sign up, it will remain active for a 12-month period.

  • To renew your WEST membership deduction and reimbursements for another 12-month period, you can take the JED Foundation training called 鈥淚t鈥檚 OK to Say Suicide: Knowledge, Action, and Support for Suicide Prevention鈥�
  • To sign up, visit:
  • After completing this course, send your certificate to halfacre@uwyo.edu and we will confirm with you via email that your membership deductions and reimbursements have been renewed.