Central Wyoming Counseling Center (CWCC) is thrilled to announce the support of the LOR Foundation, whose recent grant is helping us bring an innovative new service to life: mobile mental health and substance use treatment for individuals working in Wyoming’s energy and construction industries.

This pioneering initiative addresses the significant mental health and substance use challenges faced by workers in Central Wyoming’s energy sector, including oil, gas, and coal industries. Due to long, stressful shifts, harsh working conditions, and physically demanding labor, oil rig workers and coal miners collectively have high rates of substance use disorders. Economic uncertainty and job insecurity further exacerbate these issues. Studies consistently demonstrate that the mining and extraction industry – including oil and gas – has one of the highest rates of substance use disorders among all industries. This prevalence emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and support systems within the energy sector. By bringing behavioral health services directly to rural worksites, this project aims to improve access to care and support for this vulnerable population.

Through a flexible and community-focused model, CWCC will bring counseling, case management, and peer support directly to job sites and rural locations where these services are needed most.

“Thanks to the LOR Foundation’s generosity and shared vision, we’re building something truly responsive to the needs of our region’s workforce—meeting people where they are, both physically and emotionally.”

The LOR Foundation is a private foundation that works alongside rural communities to support locally led solutions designed to make an immediate impact on quality of life – principles that align closely with CWCC’s mission. Their investment is helping CWCC design and pilot this new mobile program with input from industry partners, workers, and behavioral health professionals.

Though the service is still in the development phase, the long-term goal is to deploy mobile behavioral health teams throughout Natrona County and neighboring regions, offering confidential support, early intervention, and connections to more intensive care when needed.

“We know this population is under-supported and often underserved,” added Cowser. “We’re grateful to LOR for recognizing that mental health care must be accessible, adaptive, and rooted in trust. This service will help build that trust.”

Stay tuned for updates as this program launches and grows. CWCC is currently working with industry leaders and workforce organizations to refine and implement the model.

Together with partners like LOR, we’re breaking down barriers and building up resilience—one job site at a time.