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’t 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. Individuals have the option of signing up for one of the many public training opportunities, or they can request private training for groups/departments.

MHFA Training Schedule

Register for MHFA Training

Main Page

Public MHFA Training OPPORTUNITIES

  • Throughout the fall and spring semester, the Wellness Center offers 2 training opportunities per month--one full-day session and two half-day sessions.
  • Full-day session:
    • The 7-hour in-person training takes place in one day and usually occurs on a Saturday or semester break days.
  • Two half-day sessions:
    • The 7-hour in-person training takes place over the cours of two days and consists of 3.5 hours of training each day. These will take place either in the morning or evening on both days. Participants must attend both days in full to complete the training.

 

Private MHFA Training Opportunities

  • Groups of 20 or more may request private MHFA training for their working group/department. Groups that consist of any less than 20 should register for one of the public training opportunities. 
  • If you have any questions, please contact the Wellness Center at wellness@uwyo.edu or 307-766-WELL (9355).

 

MHFA Private Training Request

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’s fitness and wellness programs at Half Acre and Corbett Pool by applying a reimbursement for full-time Faculty/Staff who complete Mental Health First Aid training and are the primary on their Employee Group Insurance through the University.

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

  • Be a benefited employee of the University of Wyoming.
  • 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: Phase II of the premium credit program will be coming in spring 2026. Look for more details to come on continuing premium credit training opportunities.

  • Premium Credit Activation: The premium credit will start the month after the completion of MHFA training and will be applied for a rolling 12-month period as long as the employee maintains a membership with Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center, University of WYoming Employment, and Employee Group Insurance (EGI) enrollment.

  1. Take Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for free through the Campus Recreation Wellness Center.
  2. Campus Recreation staff will 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.
  4. The month after signing up, you’ll receive a monthly reimbursement of $20 applied through your payroll.
  5. Once you sign up, the premium credit will remain active for a 12-month period.