A new WEST (Where Everyone Gets Stronger Together) Wellness Center has launched at the University of Wyoming. In partnership with Wyoming State, the WEST Wellness Center will serve as the wellness coordination center for UW students and employees.

“This will be a physical location and will have a robust online presence. The facility will be located in Crane Hall, and more details about the physical space will be available in the coming months,” says Nycole Courtney, UW Student Affairs and associate vice president of Student Success and Graduation. “The center will highlight many of the already valuable services offered on campus and promote a stepped care model for anyone on campus who needs health support.”

In addition, the center will work with many campus stakeholders to promote new wellness programs, initiatives and events, Courtney says.

The establishment of the West Wellness Center was made possible by the state and supports Gov. Mark Gordon’s initiative to improve mental health support in the Cowboy State.

“We are so grateful for the funding from the state to increase our investment in the health and well-being of all campus stakeholders,” says Courtney. “We want WEST to be a place where everyone on campus can be connected to timely support and skill development.”

WEST’s first initiative is free mental health first aid training, which is currently available to individuals or teams. Employees who complete training and participate in the Wyoming Employee Group Insurance Plan have the opportunity to become a member at UW’s Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center. Employees will receive a monthly insurance premium credit for a calendar year, which reduces the facility’s monthly subscription to $9.04 per month.

For more details on training and available times, visit the Half Acre website here.

The Mental Health First Aid training program is open to the first 400 employees to sign up; anyone who has already completed training in the past year is also eligible to apply. Employees interested in being part of the first program can visit the site here.

Half Acre offers several fitness classes, including spinning, Zumba, yoga and a new functional fitness space. The campus recreation center also has a running/walking track, several open spaces for weights and numerous exercise machines.

“We are so excited about how this initiative will support the mental and physical health of all UW employees,” says Courtney. “We know our students do better when our teachers and staff feel better.”

She adds that WEST looks forward to continued partnerships on campus, including a collaboration with UW’s “No Shave November” program’s associated students, which includes “Band in the Sand” on Wednesday, Nov. 20..

Band in the Sand will be held from 5-7pm at the UW’s Cliff and Martha Hansen Livestock Teaching Arena, located southwest of Laramie on Highway 230. The free public event will include a concert and an opportunity for the UW community to learn more a lot about wellness. campus resources.

For more information and upcoming events, visit WEST’s newly launched website at www.uwyo.edu/west.

Additionally, students and staff are invited to submit wellness questions or ideas by calling (307) 766-5765 or emailing [email protected].