Jessica Deahl’s passion and bold vision for the future of mental health and well being has made her an inspiration for students to look up to at Linn-Mar Community High School. Jessica, a Student Assistance Counselor, is honored as the October 2025 Iowa School Mental Health Hero of the Month.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The University of Iowa Scanlan Center for School Mental Health expands its child psychiatry services to all 99 Iowa counties.

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health announced the 2024 Iowa School Mental Health Awardees at the 2024 Iowa BEST Summit in Coralville, Iowa.

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.

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.