The well-being of students and staff is the foundation for the success of the entire community.

 

At the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, we aim to positively impact school mental health and well-being across Iowa and beyond through a combination of research, training, professional development, and clinical services.

11,200+

K-12 educators engaged in professional learning opportunities

From Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2024

1,400+

individual + group counseling sessions with K-12 students and school staff

From Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2024

5,200+

university/college faculty and staff trained in mental health and well-being best practices

From Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2024

$ 14M+

research grant funding awarded

From Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2024

What is School Mental Health?

School mental health considers the social, emotional, and behavioral health of individuals, groups, and systems within a school community. Prioritizing school mental health and well-being allows students and staff to function effectively and be good, productive citizens

Latest Tips and Insights

A teacher walking down the hallway with two students

Relationship Mapping: Ensuring All Students Feel Connected at School

Sunday, March 1, 2026
Relationship mapping is a proven way to improve school climate and conditions of learning. Try implementing this strategy to strengthen adult-student relationships in your classroom or school.
Teacher and student walking down the hallway in a school

Supporting Students with Eating Disorders: A Guide for Educators

Sunday, February 1, 2026
Educators are often the first to notice warning signs of eating disorders. Learn what to look for, why early intervention matters, and how to support students.
A girl closing her eyes focusing on breathing with green leafy walls behind her and books on shelf

Understanding Childhood Anxiety

Friday, January 2, 2026
Anxiety affects millions of K–12 students. Explore common anxiety disorders, what symptoms look like in kids, and strategies that help students feel safe and supported.
A group of kids playing basketball on a playground with clouds in the sky

Beyond the Bell: Why Third Spaces Matter for Whole-Community and School Well-Being

Monday, December 1, 2025
Learn what "third spaces" are, why they matter for systems wellness, and ways we can all work to create third spaces that cultivate belonging, connection, and joy.
Three educators talking in a school hallway

Healthy Leadership Starts Here: 10 Practical Tips

Sunday, November 2, 2025
From SelfCare to StaffCare, learn 10 ways to put healthy leadership into your practice.

Upcoming Events

Working with Students in Distress Master Class promotional image

Working with Students in Distress Master Class

Thursday, March 26, 2026 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Lindquist Center
Feel prepared and confident to support students in distress with the Working with Students in Distress Master Class —a 4-part, in-person training designed to equip you with the confidence, language, and practical tools to navigate these challenging moments.
Mental Health Within the Family System promotional image

Mental Health Within the Family System

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 5:00pm to 5:50pm
Virtual
Mental Health Within the Family System is a professional development webinar designed to enhance K-12 educators’, school mental health providers’, and community professionals’ understanding of how a child’s mental health condition impacts the entire family.
CelebrateED: An Evening for Educators promotional image

CelebrateED: An Evening for Educators

Friday, April 17, 2026 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Voxman Music Building
Join us for CelebrateED: An Evening for Educators, a night designed to celebrate and uplift those who make a lasting difference in students’ lives every single day. Kick off the evening with a lively Educator Mix & Mingle, a networking activity complete with refreshments, appetizers, and energizing conversation. Then, settle in for an unforgettable performance from Devin Siebold—an award-winning comedian and former teacher whose laugh-out-loud takes on education remind us why humor is one of the most powerful tools in learning and leadership. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, school counselor, or proud University of Iowa College of Education alum, this is your night to celebrate, recharge, and reconnect with the joy of being an educator.
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) promotional image

LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Thursday, April 23, 2026 8:30am to 4:30pm
Blank Honors Center
LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. As the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop, LivingWorks’ ASIST program is supported by numerous evaluations including independent and peer-reviewed studies.