Iowa School Mental Health Newsletter | March 2025
Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
The state's hub for school mental health research, professional development, and clinical services.
Your favorite conference has a new name! Mark your calendar for EmpowerED Minds: The School Wellness Summit (formerly known as the Iowa BEST Summit), September 30 – October 1, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa.
?EmpowerED Minds will bring together ~1,000 K-12 educators and higher education professionals from across the country for a transformative 1.5-day summit focused on fostering well-being and mental health within educational communities.
?What You Need to Know Now
1.?Submit a proposal to lead a session. Share your expertise, actionable ideas, or school mental health and well-being best practices at EmpowerED Minds! We are now accepting proposals to lead a 60-minute presentation/workshop or poster session until March 31, 2025.
2.?Showcase your programs, services, and resources.?Discover?our sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.
3.?Register early! Early bird?rates end?on May 2, 2025.?Plus, registering early gets you free access to our online course "Mental Health Lightning Learning?for Educators" (a $30 value)!?Secure your ticket today.
Resource Central
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent in children and adolescents and is associated with increased risk for a myriad of negative mental health outcomes. School personnel hold a distinctive role as potential first responders when it comes to the disclosure and the discovery of NSSI, and they are able to observe shifts in students' moods and behaviors.?In this practice brief, learn how to provide effective support and intervention strategies for students who engage in NSSI.?
As an education community, we are in the business of providing all children and youth an opportunity to learn knowledge and skills that will help them positively contribute to society. An important ingredient for schools to provide these opportunities is to ensure the conditions for learning create?safe, welcoming, and productive environments. In our latest blog post, explore how Iowa schools are enhancing conditions for learning—and discover ways you can make a difference.
Do you work in?an Iowa?PreK-12 school? If so, please?take our short survey. We?are interested in learning about the experiences and training educators receive in regards to the use of restraint and seclusion. Your input will provide valuable insights?as we develop new school mental health best practices?and resources. All responses will remain anonymous.
Dr. Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, joins Kari on the?podcast to discuss the critical role school nutrition programs play in the well-being of students, how schools and districts can advocate for better programs, and practical strategies for implementing improvements. Better nourish your students' bodies and minds!?
Professional Learning Line-Up
Check out our professional learning opportunities for PreK-12 educators and school staff. Iowa teachers can earn Iowa Licensure Renewal Units through select training.?See all upcoming?webinars and workshops.?
March 2025
Online | Supporting the Social-Emotional Needs of Twice-Exceptional Students
Tuesday, March 25 from 5 - 6 p.m.
Students presenting with both high cognitive/academic ability and a disability (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorder) are referred to as “twice exceptional.” This webinar will provide an overview of twice-exceptionality, identify key challenges and vulnerabilities for this population, and offer evidence-based recommendations for supporting the social-emotional well being of twice-exceptional students in the classroom.
Online | Supporting Students Through Grief and Loss
Wednesday, March 26 from 5 - 6 p.m.
During this webinar, participants will be provided psychoeducation on grief, including different types of grief, common symptoms of grief, and how grief can manifest differently across people. Educators will leave with strategies to support students who are experiencing grief and loss.
April 2025
Online | Trauma Informed Classroom Practices: Disruptive Behaviors
Tuesday, April 1 from 4 - 5 p.m.
Join us for a webinar on supporting student mental health and managing classroom behavior. We'll explore common trauma experiences affecting Iowa youth, examine how trauma impacts student behavior, and share practical Level 1 interventions. Leave with concrete tools to better support your students' well-being and create a more positive classroom environment.
Online | Burnout: Reclaiming Balance
Tuesday, April 8 from 4 - 5 p.m.
In this interactive workshop, educators will explore the signs and symptoms of burnout, understand its impact on both personal well-being and professional effectiveness, and learn practical strategies for prevention and recovery. Participants will gain valuable tools for identifying burnout early, managing stress, and creating a sustainable balance between work and self-wellness. This workshop is designed to help educators feel supported, connected, and confident in navigating the challenges of teaching without sacrificing their own health and happiness.
Online | Supporting Students with Eating Disorders- Where Do I Even Start?
Wednesday, April 9 from 5 - 6:15 p.m.
Eating disorders in students have more than doubled over the last several years and school mental health providers may be the first to notice. During this webinar, build awareness of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and how to connect students and families with resources and support.
Online | Emotional Labor in Education: Managing the Invisible Work of Teaching
Wednesday, April 16 from 5 - 5:50 p.m.
In this session, we will discuss the role that emotions, and emotional labor, play in the professional lives of teachers. Then, we will focus on strategies to effectively instruct in an affectively healthy and beneficial manner. The professional development will provide teachers with tools to improve their vocational health, along with strategies to implement in the classroom.
In-Person | safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training
Wednesday, April 30 from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
safeTALK prepares people to be more alert to suicide and to help persons with thoughts of suicide make safe connections. The intervention goal is that persons with thoughts of suicide connect with someone who will help them keep safe from suicide and access further support.
June 2025
In-Person | safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training
Monday, June 9 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
safeTALK prepares people to be more alert to suicide and to help persons with thoughts of suicide make safe connections. The intervention goal is that persons with thoughts of suicide connect with someone who will help them keep safe from suicide and access further support.
In-Person | LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Thursday, June 19 - Friday, June 20 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.?Although ASIST is widely used by health care providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop — ASIST can be learned and used by anyone.
On your time, at your pace
Online | School Mental Health and Well-Being Modules
On your time, at your pace
Learn from national social-emotional-behavioral health experts in a convenient, online format. Our self-paced modules include topics such as: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports; Establishing Bully-Free Classrooms and Schools; Self-Care Regimen for Educators; Trauma Informed Restorative Practices; and more.
Season 3 | Educator Wellness Podcast
On your time, at your pace
Watch or listen, and then reflect on each of the 8 episodes in Season 3 of the Educator Wellness Podcast to?earn 1 Iowa Licensure Renewal Credit. Dr. Kari Vogelgesang hosts nationally-recognized experts that help us explore and reflect on various dimensions of health and well-being. Take away strategies and tips to transcend wellness knowledge and practices into your classroom or school.
Clinical Services
Making mental health care accessible to Iowa’s K-12 school communities is our priority.
The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic offers services for Iowa K-12 school staff and students age 10 and older either virtually or in-person at our Iowa City Clinic.
?Who can refer??School administrators, school mental health professionals, AEAs, and parents can refer students. School staff and students 18+ can self-refer.?
?How to refer??Visit our website to complete the Request for Services form.?Clinical services are fee-based. We accept medical insurance.?Financial aid may be available to individuals who qualify.
A resource to help Iowa educators and students find a therapist.?Welltrack Connect?- a free resource for PreK-12 educators and students in Iowa - streamlines referrals and makes it easy to search for and contact licensed therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatric medication providers. Educators and students can search on:?scsmh.org.welltrack-connect.com.
Our clinic periodically offers the following virtual and in-person group counseling opportunities:?
Want to join a future session? Email?[email protected]?to let us know you are interested.
Help us create supportive, healthy learning environments for students and educators! Your gift to the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health will fund vital research, training, and clinical services. Together, we can make a positive impact on school mental health and well-being.