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

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
This blog explores the roots of the national attendance crisis—from anxiety and disengagement to outdated interventions—and offers human-centered strategies to reconnect students to school.
parent and teen talking

Let's Keep Talking: Connecting with Teens about Mental Health, Suicidal Ideation, and Self-Harm

Sunday, June 1, 2025
In this blog, we take a closer look at the mental health challenges teens may face, including suicide and self-harm. You’ll find key definitions, potential warning signs to watch for, and compassionate strategies for starting these tough but vital conversations with your teen.
Counselor talking with child

Your Guide to Navigating Community Mental Health Supports

Looking for a mental health provider but don’t know where to start? This guide helps you navigate your needs, wants, goals, mental health provider compatibility, and the cost of services, so you can begin looking for a mental health provider.
Dad and son looking through a telescope

Let's Talk: Conversation Starters for Connecting with Kids and Teens about Mental Health

Monday, March 31, 2025
When it comes to talking about mental health with children or teens, many parents struggle to find the right words. Learn practical, research-backed tips to help you create a safe, open environment where your children feel heard, understood, and supported.
Two middle school girls sitting in a school library looking at each other

Using Conditions for Learning Data to Improve School Climate and Culture

Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Conditions for Learning includes aspects of school climate and culture, but in a very specific way. Discover how to leverage an evidence-based roadmap, assessment, and key implementation strategies to enhance Conditions for Learning and student outcomes in your K-12 school.

Upcoming Events

LivingWorks safeTALK promotional image

LivingWorks safeTALK

Friday, July 25, 2025 8:30am to 12:30pm
Lindquist Center
Please register here.safeTALK 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.What You Will Learn:Describe the role of an alert helper/ connector.Identify ways in which personal, cultural, and social attitudes can lead people to miss, dismiss, and avoid opportunities to seek or...
Advanced Tier 2 Training promotional image

Advanced Tier 2 Training

Thursday, August 14, 2025 8:30am to 3:30pm
University of Iowa College of Education
Now enrolling up to 8 Iowa K-12 school teams (4-5 educators/staff members per team)Transform your school’s Tier 2 intervention support from scattered efforts into a systematic approach that delivers results. This intensive 2-day training delivers exactly what your team needs to effectively implement Tier 2 systems and interventions that produce measurable results for students who need additional support.This training will provide your team of educators with the rationale for Tier 2 and the step...
Advanced Tier 2 Training promotional image

Advanced Tier 2 Training

Friday, August 15, 2025 8:30am to 3:30pm
University of Iowa College of Education
Now enrolling up to 8 Iowa K-12 school teams (4-5 educators/staff members per team)Transform your school’s Tier 2 intervention support from scattered efforts into a systematic approach that delivers results. This intensive 2-day training delivers exactly what your team needs to effectively implement Tier 2 systems and interventions that produce measurable results for students who need additional support.This training will provide your team of educators with the rationale for Tier 2 and the step...
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) promotional image

LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Thursday, September 18, 2025 8:30am to 4:30pm
Blank Honors Center
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.Results demonstrate that ASIST helps participants become more willing, ready, and able to intervene. Although...