Our nation has a mental health crisis. One in five children has or will have signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder. Only 20% of children who have mental health disorders receive the treatment they need, and most concerning, suicide is the second leading cause of death for children and adolescents. Many know these statistics because they live them. They watch children struggle daily, not always knowing how to help. The mental health crisis is leaving parents, caregivers and educators wondering “What can we do?” and “How can we help?” Central Rivers AEA has created a toolbox for administrators, educators, parents and families, school-based mental health professionals and students.
Administrator Toolbox
Iowa AEA Mental Health Website
- Iowa AEA Mental Health Website provides information and resources for mental health in schools, community, advocacy, and self-care.
- This resource includes fact sheets that are designed to increase school staff’s understanding of mental health disorders, classroom implications and supports.
Center for Mental Health in Schools (UCLA School Mental Health Project)
- The UCLA Center for Mental Health in School’s mission is to “improve outcomes for students by helping districts and their schools enhance how they address barriers to learning and teaching and re-engage disconnected students.”
- This site provides information and links for leaders and practitioners to access a range of no-cost resources developed by the center and others that can be used for school improvement, professional development and direct student/learning support.
Educator Toolbox
- Mobile crisis response teams are provided across the state of Iowa’s 14 MHDS service regions. It is a free crisis service and outreach is available 24/7. Mobile crisis response services are provided on-site, in-person interventions for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, including suicidal ideation.
- Mobile crisis response services are provided in the individual’s home, school, or at any other location where the individual lives, works, attends school or socializes.
- Mobile response staff are dispatched immediately after crisis screening has determined the appropriate level of care. Response time is within 60 minutes of dispatch. Services are provided by mental health professionals through various partnerships with mental health providers across the state. Contacts are based on region.
- The above link provides the contact information to access the mobile crisis center by county. Mobile Crisis and other mental health crisis support can be accessed by calling 9-8-8.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a resource that provides information related to warning signs, mental health conditions, NAMI Blogs, statistics, treatment, fact sheets, and information on public policy.
- NAMI also provides resources to help community members find support as well as advocacy opportunities.
NAMI Iowa is the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI Iowa contains information related to fact sheets, NAMI education and classes, peer support training, health library, resources, and advocacy opportunities
Fact sheets are designed to increase staff’s understanding of mental health disorders, classroom implications and supports.
Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
- The purpose of the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is to provide social, emotional, behavioral, and psychological services to all of Iowa’s schools, not only to aid in COVID-19 recovery but to build state capacity for immediate and future delivery of mental health supports across the state.
- The Center will bring together educational partners, policymakers, and mental health professionals to serve as Iowa’s hub for research-to-practice related to mental health.
This resource provides educators with tools to support students engaging in self-injurious behaviors
This resource provides educators with an understanding of Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS)
Suicide
If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately via 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741).
Suicide Resources:
Parent/Family Toolbox
Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress
- Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America provides parents, caregivers and families with practical strategies to cope with anxiety.
Iowa AEA Mental Health Website
- Iowa AEA Mental Health Website provides information and resources for mental health in schools, community, advocacy, and self-care.
Mental Health Training: NAMI Basics OnDemand
- NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other family members who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms.
- NAMI Basics OnDemand is an adaptation of the in-person course offered in 43 states by NAMI affiliates.
- Registration link
- This link provides information pertaining to NAMI support groups for students and families living with mental illness. The list provides contact information for support groups/resources across the state.
- This site is an excellent resource to help families understand mental health concerns, specific mental health disorders, evidence-based supports, and resources to help families advocate for their children.
Suicide Prevention Resources for Parents/Guardians and Families
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for our children. Talking with our children about suicide and getting them the help they need can be overwhelming.
- This resource provides a selection of websites and online information sheets that have suicide prevention resources for parents, guardians, and other family members.
- Mobile crisis response teams are provided across the state of Iowa’s 14 MHDS service regions. It is a free crisis service and outreach is available 24/7. Mobile crisis response services are provided on-site, in-person interventions for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, including suicidal ideation.
- Mobile crisis response services are provided in the individual’s home, school, or at any other location where the individual lives, works, attends school or socializes. Mobile response staff are dispatched immediately after crisis screening has determined the appropriate level of care.
- Response time is within 60 minutes of dispatch. Services are provided by mental health professionals through various partnerships with mental health providers across the state. Contacts are based on region.
- The above link provides the contact information to access the mobile crisis center by county. Mobile Crisis and other mental health crisis support can be accessed by calling 9-8-8.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a resource that provides information related to warning signs, mental health conditions, NAMI Blogs, statistics, treatment, fact sheets, and information on public policy.
- NAMI also provides resources to help community members find support as well as advocacy opportunities.
- NAMI Iowa is the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI Iowa contains information related to fact sheets, NAMI education and classes, peer support training, health library, resources, and advocacy opportunities
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals.
Three-Digit Number for Suicide Prevention
- Recently, the FCC recommended that 988 be designated as a national crisis hotline. If you or someone you know needs support please call 9-8-8.
Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators
- This resource, developed by the National Association of School Psychologists, provides an overview of suicide risk factors, warning signs and resiliency factors.
School-Based Mental Health Professional Toolbox
- Mobile crisis response teams are provided across the state of Iowa’s 14 MHDS service regions. It is a free crisis service and outreach is available 24/7. Mobile crisis response services are provided on-site, in-person interventions for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, including suicidal ideation.
- Mobile crisis response services are provided in the individual’s home, school, or at any other location where the individual lives, works, attends school or socializes. Mobile response staff are dispatched immediately after crisis screening has determined the appropriate level of care. Response time is within 60 minutes of dispatch.
- Services are provided by mental health professionals through various partnerships with mental health providers across the state. Contacts are based on region. The above link provides the contact information to access the mobile crisis center by county. Mobile Crisis and other mental health crisis support can be accessed by calling 9-8-8.
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)-School Mental Health
- “The Mid-America MHTTC serves the four states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri (Region 7) with a focus on Federally-Qualified Community Health Centers, schools, and mental health training programs. Across the four-state region of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas, the Mid-America MHTTC will serve to align mental health systems and professional competencies with evidence-based mental health practices by providing free training and technical assistance on a variety of topics germane to effective mental health practice.”
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a resource that provides information related to warning signs, mental health conditions, NAMI Blogs, statistics, treatment, fact sheets, and information on public policy.
- NAMI also provides resources to help community members find support as well as advocacy opportunities.
- NAMI Iowa is the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- NAMI Iowa contains information related to fact sheets, NAMI education and classes, peer support training, health library, resources, and advocacy opportunities.
- Fact sheets are designed to increase staff’s understanding of mental health disorders, classroom implications and supports.
- This resource provides educators with tools for suicide screening, prevention and postvention.
- This resource provides educators with tools to support students engaging in self-injurious behaviors
Free Resources (apps, websites and materials)
- This resource provides educators with a list of free apps, websites and other materials designed to help students cope with stressors.
Suicide
If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately via 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741).
Student Toolbox
Iowa AEA Mental Health Website
- Iowa AEA Mental Health Website provides information and resources for mental health in schools, community, advocacy, and self-care.
Mental Health
- Mental health includes both mental wellness and mental illness (mental health disorders). Save a Friend will provide you with information on both mental wellness and mental health disorder.
Suicide
- Understanding where to get help and how to help others can be overwhelming. You are not alone. If you need help, would like to help others, or just need resources this is the place for you.
- Below are several resources to help you do just that.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately via 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741).
Save a Friend: Tips for Friends to Prevent Suicide
“Suicide rarely happens without warning. As a peer, you may be in the best position to recognize when a friend might need help and help them get it. You may see signs in person, hear about them secondhand, or see them online in social media. Never ignore these signs. While suicide is typically associated with the pain of mental illness (in particular depression and associated feelings of helplessness and hopelessness), there are sometimes specific situations that trigger suicidal actions such as breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, failing in school, being bullied, or experiencing abuse, loss or other trauma. It is important to learn these warning signs and what to do if you see any of them in yourself or a friend.”
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please tell and adult and call, 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741) or call 9-8-8. You are not alone!