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

Three educators talking in a school hallway

Healthy Leadership Starts Here: 10 Practical Tips

Sunday, November 2, 2025
Kat Krtnick Wilson, MBA
From SelfCare to StaffCare, learn 10 ways to put healthy leadership into your practice.
School administrator talking with a student

What Healthy Leadership Really Looks Like: When Health and Well-Being Come Before Bottom Line

Saturday, November 1, 2025
Kat Krtnick Wilson, MBA
Are you a healthy leader? Find out what this really means, the research behind it, and why your leadership philosophy might need a health-oriented leadership (HoL) upgrade.
Woman sitting at desk fitting two puzzle pieces together

Balance is for Yoga: 5 Ideas for Work Life Integration Instead

Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Barry Schreier, PhD
Discover why work-life balance falls short and how work-life integration offers a realistic, holistic approach. Explore 5 practical strategies to navigate school life with ease.
Teacher stretching in front of classroom

Are You a “Yes-Person” Who Needs Help Saying “No”? 5 Tips to Prioritize Your Self-Care This School Year

Monday, September 1, 2025
Ryan Kidder, MSW, LISW
You give so much—don’t forget yourself. These 5 self-care tips will help educators and school mental health professionals set boundaries and thrive all year long.
Four middle school students sitting at desks

“Why Won’t They Just Go to School?” A Personal and Professional Reckoning with Chronic Absenteeism

Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Kari Vogelgesang, PhD
This blog explores the roots of the national attendance crisis—from anxiety and disengagement to outdated interventions—and offers human-centered strategies to reconnect students to school.

Upcoming Events

Show Me the Data: How to Collect Accurate Behavioral Data on Students promotional image

Show Me the Data: How to Collect Accurate Behavioral Data on Students

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Virtual
This webinar will provide K-12 educators with practical strategies to gather reliable, consistent information that reflects student behavior. Participants will learn how to select the right data collection methods, avoid common errors, and use the data to drive effective decision-making and support student success.
Mental Health & Well-Being Pecha Kucha: Engage the Innovators promotional image

Mental Health & Well-Being Pecha Kucha: Engage the Innovators

Thursday, November 13, 2025 12:00pm to 4:00pm
University Capitol Centre

Join us for the University of Iowa's second annual Mental Health & Well-Being Pecha Kucha! Pecha Kucha is Japanese for chit-chat and emphasizes storytelling via imagery over words. This fun, interactive, and highly engaging workshop style elevates the voices of our campus “mental health and well-being innovators” to provide you:

New ways of thinking about your work from a mental health & well-being lens

Tangible takeaways about innovative mental health & well-being practices occurring on campus

Con...

LivingWorks safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training promotional image

LivingWorks safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training

Monday, November 17, 2025 8:30am to 12:30pm
Blank Honors Center
LivingWorks safeTALK training prepares people to be more alert to suicide and to help persons with thoughts of suicide make safe connections. The intervention goal is that persons with thoughts of suicide connect with someone who will help them keep safe from suicide and access further support.
Supporting Students Through Grief and Loss promotional image

Supporting Students Through Grief and Loss

Monday, November 17, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virtual
Grief affects students in many ways. This webinar helps K–12 educators recognize the different ways grief may appear and offers practical strategies to provide meaningful support and coping skills to students experiencing loss.