How to care for your mental health during the summer

Join us for a special Mental Health Awareness Month live-stream event just for Iowa PreK-12 educators! 

Summer is a time for educators to disconnect and recharge. But even if we aren’t physically in the classroom or in the school building, we still crave connection and need resources to support our well-being. 

Perhaps, we need this even more during the summer, when we finally have time to prioritize our mental health and overall wellness. 

That is why we are excited to host a live stream session where Iowa PreK-12 educators will learn about various ways to support their mental health during the summer months.

During this 45-minute session, you will learn about:  

• Types of clinical services available to educators in Iowa 
• Togetherall, a 24/7 online peer community that specifically supports educators
• Recommended practices for supporting your mental health
• Ways to find a therapist
• What other educators are wondering when it comes to mental health (we will answer questions live!) 

LIVE ON the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health YouTube channel and Facebook page!

This event will be recorded and available on our YouTube and Facebook pages following the live-stream session. 

Expert Bios

Alissa Doobay, Ph.D.

Dr. Alissa Doobay is the Director of Clinical Services for the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health and a Clinical Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology. Dr. Doobay earned her and PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2010 after completing a predoctoral internship at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. She is currently a Licensed Psychologist and Health Service Provider. 

Sam McVancel, Ph.D. 

Dr. Sam McVancel is a Senior Behavioral Health Clinician at the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health. Sam has a long history working in and with schools. She was previously a math teacher in Arizona. Most recently, she was employed as a school psychologist at Grant Wood AEA, where worked since 2017. Sam is a graduate of the University of Iowa doctoral program in School Psychology. 

Aarti Khullar, Ph.D.

Dr. Aarti Khullar is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of Provider Network Services and Product Integration at Protocall Services. Aarti worked in university mental health prior to co-founding The Shrink Space, now Welltrack Connect. Aarti continues to manage the product strategy and growth of Welltrack Connect as well as the product integration of the Welltrack Platform of Behavioral Health Solutions. 

Mary-Lyn Kieffer 

Mary-Lyn Kieffer is a passionate mental health advocate and Senior Manager of Partnerships at Togetherall, an online peer support community moderated 24/7 by licensed clinicians. She was most recently the executive director of the Made of Millions Foundation, Canada — a mental health nonprofit organization. She is also an active member in the mental health community in Toronto and has completed a Peer Support Training program.