No, we’re not talking about a household cleaning product. We’re talking about Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory (COMETTM), which is a short, two-hour program and a gentle introduction to supporting friends and neighbors in a “vulnerable space”. The intent is to help them shift their mental health trajectory back to a place of wellness and away from the path of a mental health crisis. This program was developed by the High Plains Research Network Community Advisory Council specifically for rural communities.
Rural communities and farm families value supporting each other in times of need. COMETTM helps people take the next step after noticing someone might be struggling. It empowers friends and neighbors to be more prepared to support others’ mental health needs – especially before a crisis. This training doesn’t expect community members to “fix it” but trains people to feel comfortable initiating a supportive but potentially emotional conversation using a conversational seven-question guide. The training encourages participants to be comfortable and present with someone who is struggling but not yet at the point of crisis. It provides an easy way to start a conversation, teaches you how to exit the conversation in a supportive way, and offers resources to share with others if they need more than a listening ear.
Live on-line COMETTM trainings will be offered statewide on:
- Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Registration link: https://forms.gle/J3z6qsKGLVpcU5Qj6
- Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM; Registration link: https://go.wisc.edu/rwui80
- Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Registration link: https://forms.gle/HtZvsDhsERRu6Tde9
Each of these trainings are offered live through the Zoom platform and are NOT recorded. The trainings are free and limited to 30 participants. Registration is required.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension is partnering with Farm Well Wisconsin and the High Plains Research Network Community Advisory Council to offer COMETTM to rural and farming communities and agricultural service providers in Wisconsin.
This educational program is supported by USDA-NIFA 2020-70028-32728 through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network funding. Find more information at https://farms.extension.wisc.edu/programs/comet/ or contact joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu 608.263.3485, or alexandra.walters@wisc.edu