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.
10K+
K-12 educators engaged in professional learning opportunities
Professional Development
500+
individual + group counseling sessions with K-12 students and school staff
Clinical Services
6K+
university/college faculty and staff trained in mental health and well-being best practices
Higher Education
$ 10M+
research grant funding awarded
Research
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
Systematic Goal-Setting, Not Empty Resolutions!
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Transform your resolutions into lasting habits. Learn why some New Year's resolutions succeed while others fail through one educator's personal story, and discover 4 research-backed steps for effective goal-setting that work for both adults and students.
Deconstructing the Student Mental Health Crisis
Friday, November 1, 2024
We deconstruct the 'mental health crisis' narrative, providing educators with a more nuanced framework. Explore four interconnected emotional states that can transform how you perceive and support student mental well-being.
From Perfectionism to Excellence: How to Encourage Students to Embrace Growth and Learning
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Learn how to identify and address maladaptive perfectionism in students. Discover strategies to foster excellence, encourage growth mindset, and support healthy academic achievement in the classroom.
Classroom Strategies to Improve the Mental and Academic Well-Being of Latinx Students
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Latinx students drop out of school at higher rates compared to their white and black peers. Learn tips to best support your Latinx students’ academic and mental well-being.
Therapeutic Classrooms: What are They and How They Support Students With Challenging Behaviors
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Mental health concerns are on the rise for Iowa youth, leading educators to become more interested in students’ social-emotional-behavioral health (SEBH). Therapeutic classrooms are a possible solution to these concerns.
Upcoming Events
Social Media Smarts: Navigating Sleep and Mental Health for K-12 Teachers and Parents
Monday, January 27, 2025 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Bengi Baran, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychological and Brain Sciences
Description: Social media has received significant attention as a culprit for the ongoing youth mental health crisis, both on its own and indirectly by disrupting sleep and circadian rhythms. There are several emerging critical developments including U.S. Surgeon General's advisories on (1) the negative consequences of social media use and (2) the declining mental...
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Friday, January 31, 8:30am to Saturday, February 1, 2025 4:30pm
Please note: This training opportunity is only available to University of Iowa School of Social Work students.
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...
Educator Well-Being: Skill for Empowerment
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Ryan Kidder, Behavioral Health Clinician, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Description: During this presentation, educators, school mental health professionals, para-educators and administrators will learn the rationale behind using skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to enhance well-being. Participants will enhance their understanding of mindfulness skills, self-care skills, and will learn a skill in order to be...
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Supporting Yourself and Others in K-12 Education
Monday, February 17, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Barry Schreier, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Description: As K-12 educators, we set the bar high for ourselves, often striving for perfection in our teaching, leadership, and support roles. While these high standards can drive excellence, they can also lead to feelings of self-doubt and the belief that we’re not good enough, not deserving enough, or not doing enough — hallmarks of imposter syndrome. The performance-driven...