COMET is a two-hour interactive training program designed to help people support others who may be seen sad, anxious, distracted, or depressed.
It was developed collaboratively by the High Plains Research Network Community Advisory Council, a grassroots group of ranchers, teachers, small business managers and others from rural eastern Colorado, along with rural mental health professionals and health researchers.
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.
Impact: May 2024 to June 2025
Participants came from 75 out of 87 Minnesota counties, including Blue Earth, Carver, Becker, Dakota, Cottonwood, Ramsey, Olmsted, OtterTail, and many others.
How does COMET work?
COMET helps people feel more prepared to start conversations about mental health.
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 2025, the percentage of participants likely or very likely to invite family or friends to talk more about a potentially emotional situation increased from 66% before COMET to 87% after the training.
Free COMET training: Partner with Extension
The University of Minnesota Extension works with communities across the state to provide free, in-person and online COMET training:
- Social services organizations
- Schools
- Tribal programs
- Public health agencies
- Agricultural organizations
- Recovery programs
- Mental health organizations
- And more
Trainings are offered in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Find a COMET trainer
Find a certified COMET trainer in your area from the list below, or contact Mary Jo Katras at [email protected] to schedule a training for your organization.
| Name and Email | Affiliation | Region | Training | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silvia Alvarez de Davila | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Statewide | In person or online |
|
| Tonia Brinston | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Metro | In person or online | |
| Nikki Crowe | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Statewide | In person or online |
|
| Sara Croymans | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Statewide | In person or online | |
| Matt Danielson | Pastor in Montevideo area | Montevideo | In person | |
| Aubree Derksen | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Statewide | In person or online |
|
| Kim Fox | UMN Extension Department of Youth Development | Central | In person or online |
|
| Becca Golden | UMN Extension Department of Youth Development | West central | In person or online |
|
| Amber Haus | Wellness in the Woods | Todd County | In person or online | |
| Mary Jo Katras | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Metro | In person or online | |
| Aly Kloeckner | UMN Extension Department of Youth Development | Southeast | In person or online |
|
| Emily Krekelberg | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Statewide | In person or online |
|
| Anna Lynn | Minnesota Department of Health | Statewide | Online | |
| Ellie McCann | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Statewide | In person or online | |
| Cari Michaels | UMN Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing | Metro | In person or online | |
| Meg Moynihan | Minnesota Department of Agriculture | Statewide | In person or online |
|
| Sharon Powell | UMN Extension Dept. of Family, Health and Wellbeing |
Metro | In person or online |
Become a COMET trainer
As a COMET facilitator, you’ll help people learn a way to start supportive and emotional conversations, which can help the struggling person move away from crisis and back toward wellness. Facilitators will be equipped to deliver high-value workshops, join a professional network, and receive certification.
We have upcoming training throughout Minnesota.