COMET: Changing our mental and emotional trajectory

COMET (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) is a two-hour training that teaches participants how to reach out in a meaningful, respectful and supportive way to friends, co-workers or acquaintances who seem to be struggling somewhere between wellness and a mental health crisis. While designed for rural and farming communities, it can also be used in urban and suburban settings.

Often, we want to support our friends, neighbors, and colleagues in times of need but may not know how. COMET empowers us 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 instead trains people to feel comfortable initiating a supportive and potentially emotional conversation by using a simple seven-question guide.

In Minnesota, the program is offered free of charge, making it accessible to a wide range of communities. While its initial focus is on rural areas, COMET’s approach is versatile, making it valuable in urban and suburban settings as well.