In the Know

Check out the latest news and announcements from the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health. 

Recent News

canlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic waiting area

In the news: UI Scanlan Center promotes accessible mental health services for Suicide Prevention Month

Thursday, September 11, 2025
The center is launching new group therapy sessions for parents and caregivers, offering a space for adults to share their experiences, support one another, and gain tools to better help their children.
A group of five educators wearing t-shirts that say "Supporting Mental Health Awareness"

When Courageous and Compassionate Leadership Meet: How Meghan Wilson Helped Elevate Riverside (IA) Community

Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Meghan Wilson's heart for service and bold vision for mental health and well-being have made her an irreplaceable asset to Riverside Community School District (IA). Meghan, a school psychologist at Green Hills AEA, is honored as the September 2025 Iowa School Mental Health Hero of the Month.
Kaitlin Poock talking with a student

From Student to Scanlan Center Social Worker: The Power of a Practicum Experience

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Growing up in a family of educators, Kaitlin Poock always felt at home in schools—but it wasn’t until her MSW practicum that she realized how her passion for social work could serve K–12 students. Now a full-time social worker at the Scanlan Center, she provides counseling, crisis support, and creative resources that help make mental health care more accessible to K-12 students and educators in Iowa.
A counselor talking with a parent and teen at a table

In the news: Eating disorder treatment options are limited in Iowa. A new service aims to change that.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
The University of Iowa Scanlan Center for School Mental Health launched a new eating disorder service for Iowa students ages 12 and older, high school students ages 18 and older, and any K-12 school staff.
2025 UI Mental Health Champion Awardees

University of Iowa Celebrates 2025 Mental Health Champions

Thursday, May 8, 2025
Four University of Iowa staff, faculty, and students were announced as the 2025 Mental Health Champion Award recipients during the ceremony held Tuesday, May 6 at Hancher Auditorium.
U Matter @ Iowa flags

In the news: University of Iowa school mental health center expands statewide

Monday, March 24, 2025
The University of Iowa Scanlan Center for School Mental Health expands its child psychiatry services to all 99 Iowa counties.
Photo of 2024 Iowa School Mental Health Awardees

Top of the Class: Meet the 2024 Iowa School Mental Health Awardees

Tuesday, September 10, 2024
The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health announced the 2024 Iowa School Mental Health Awardees at the 2024 Iowa BEST Summit in Coralville, Iowa.
Mental Health Champion Award banner

2024 Mental Health Champion Awardees Announced

Thursday, May 2, 2024
Four University of Iowa staff, faculty and students were announced as the 2024 Mental Health Champion Award recipients during the ceremony held Tuesday, April 30.  The second-annual Mental Health Champion Award celebrates outstanding members of the University of Iowa community who help create and bolster a positive mental health and well-being culture. Their dedication to care inspires others to prioritize mental health in their own lives.
Group of people posing for photo

Scanlan’s Grad Squad: How the Workforce Expansion Program is Filling a Critical Need

Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health was established in June 2021 to meet a critical need for mental health services in Iowa’s PreK-12 schools, and worked to help address the acute shortage by providing training opportunities for the next generation of SMHPs through the Scanlan Center’s Workforce Expansion Graduate Student (WEGs) Program. As the program comes to a close, we reflect on its success.
three adults talking in school hallway

In the news: Scanlan Center for School Mental Health highlighted by Inside Higher Ed

Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Recent research from the University of Iowa found overwhelmingly that staff and faculty from Iowa community colleges feel responsible for supporting their students’ mental health and wellness through modeling behaviors and referring them to campus resources. However, even fewer employees were confident in their ability to do so.