Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
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IOWA SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE – FAMILIES

Funding Source Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Duration Ongoing

Abstract

The mental health needs of K-12 students in Iowa remain high. 27-36% of students report feeling sad or hopeless almost every day. Certain racial and ethnic groups as well as LGBTQ+ youth report an even higher percentage. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for this age group. Recognizing children’s mental health needs is important for prevention, treatment, and recovery. The stigma around mental health interferes with seeking help, contributing to under-utilization of available supports and services.

The Iowa School Mental Health Initiative (ISMHI; Imagine Iowa) was developed as one resource for recognizing and responding to the mental health needs of students. This adaptation of ISMHI focuses on educating caregivers and other family members about children’s mental health. This project will develop evidence based, culturally responsive, and equity infused educational resources for use across the state.

Resources will provide caregivers and other family members a better understanding of mental health and wellness, empathetic communication, inclusive mental health, crisis response, and advocacy. This project provides caregivers and other family members an opportunity to learn information similar to what educators are learning through ISMHI (Imagine Iowa). This will facilitate better communication between schools and families when working together to meet the mental health needs of Iowa’s youth.

The tentative learning modules for this project include the following:

  • Mental Health and the Caregiver
  • Mental Health and Compassion
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • Mental Health and Advocacy
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing

Project Team

  • Nicole Del Castillo, MD, Co-Project Lead, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, nicole-delcastillo@uiowa.edu
  • Nancy Beyer, MD, Co-Project Lead, Psychiatrist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, nancy-beyer@uiowa.edu
  • Kelly Pelzel, Ph.D., Co-Project Lead, Clinical Psychologist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, kelly-pelzel@uiowa.edu
  • Aloha Wilks, Program Coordinator, Research Program Coordinator at the University of Iowa Equity in Health Science and Practice (E-HSP) Program, aloha-wilks@uiowa.edu
  • Sarahi Bahena, Family Navigator and Assistant Program Coordinator, sarahi-bahena@uiowa.edu