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+
From Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2024
1,400+
From Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2024
5,200+
From Oct. 2023 - Dec. 2024
$ 14M+
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
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.
What Healthy Leadership Really Looks Like: When Health and Well-Being Come Before Bottom Line
Saturday, November 1, 2025
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.
Balance is for Yoga: 5 Ideas for Work Life Integration Instead
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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.
Are You a “Yes-Person” Who Needs Help Saying “No”? 5 Tips to Prioritize Your Self-Care This School Year
Monday, September 1, 2025
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.
“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This blog explores the roots of the national attendance crisis—from anxiety and disengagement to outdated interventions—and offers human-centered strategies to reconnect students to school.
Upcoming Events
What is Psychiatry?
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 5:00pm to 5:40pm
Learn about the field of psychiatry and its place in mental health, the educational and clinical training required to become a psychiatrist, the work a psychiatrist does, and gain a foundational understanding of the conditions psychiatry addresses and the approaches used in treatment.
Decoding Adolescent Mental Health: Recognizing and Responding to Subtle Signs in the Classroom
Thursday, February 5, 2026 4:00pm to 4:40pm
This webinar helps educators recognize and respond to adolescent mental health challenges in the classroom. Participants will learn to identify subtle behavioral signs, such as emotional reactivity and communication difficulties, and apply practical strategies to create supportive environments that foster open dialogue, emotional expression, and student well-being.
Supporting Anxious Students
Monday, February 9, 2026 4:00pm to 5:00pm
In this webinar, participants will be provided an overview of anxiety disorders and common symptoms, as well as strategies for supporting anxious students at home and school. This webinar will also offer an introduction to Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), an empirically-validated treatment for anxiety and OCD.
Move More, Teach Better: Simple Strategies to Integrate More Physical Activity Into Your Day
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 5:00pm to 5:45pm
February is Active Classrooms Month! Join us for an energizing and practical webinar designed to help educators integrate more movement into their workday. Research shows that even small amounts of physical activity improve focus, mood, and academic outcomes—for students and adults alike. Learn realistic strategies to increase your physical activity throughout the school day without adding stress to your schedule.