Health & Wellness Services is now offering students a free Mental Health First Aid course.

Students who go through the course will learn how to react to someone having a mental health crisis. It helps students to better understand mental health stigmas, and raises awareness of mental health issues and resources on campus, said Paula Adams, associate director for health promotion at Health & Wellness.

The course takes place over an eight-hour training session. Faculty and staff are still subject to a $40 training fee, but the student cost is now covered through services and activities fees. Students can sign up on Health & Wellness’ website.

“We’ve received feedback from students that the cost to attend was a barrier,” Adams said. “In response to that we requested funding through the S&A fee process to support student participation.”

The money from S&A fees will also cover the $25 cost of materials needed. Adams said the course will not increase the cost of the S&A fees.

The Mental Health First Aid course is available to students now, though Adams said the official rollout and marketing of the program won’t start until the new fiscal year.