WEST Wellness Center Debuts at UW for Students and Employees

A new WEST (Where Everyone Strengthens Together) Wellness Center has launched at the University of Wyoming. In partnership with the state of Wyoming, the WEST Wellness Center will serve as the wellness coordination core 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 will be available about the physical space in the coming months," says Nycole Courtney, UW Student Affairs and dean of Student Success and Graduation associate vice president. "The center will highlight many of the already valuable services provided on campus as well as promote a stepped-care model for anyone on campus needing wellness support."

Additionally, the center will partner with many stakeholders on campus to promote new wellness programs, initiatives and events, Courtney says.

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 all campus stakeholders' health and wellness," Courtney says. "We want WEST to be a place where every single person on campus can be connected to timely support and skill development."

WEST's first initiative is free mental health first aid training, which currently is available to individuals or teams. Employees who complete the training and participate in Wyoming's employee group insurance plan have the opportunity for membership at UW's Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center. Employees will receive a monthly insurance premium credit for one calendar year, which reduces the facility's monthly membership to $9.04 per month.

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

The mental health first aid training program is open to the first 400 employees who enroll; anyone who already has completed the training in the past year also is eligible to apply. Employees interested in being part of the first program can visit the website here.

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

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

She adds that WEST looks forward to continued partnerships on campus, including a collaboration with the Associated Students of UW's "No Shave November," which includes "Band in the Sand" Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Band in the Sand will take place from 5-7 p.m. at UW's Cliff and Martha Hansen Livestock Teaching Arena, located southwest of Laramie on Highway 230. The free public event will feature a concert and an opportunity for the UW community to learn more about wellness resources on campus.

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

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