Support children’s health and wellness
It’s important to help the children in your life be healthy, both mentally and physically. Because the sooner children get the help they may need, the sooner they can thrive. Iowa offers many different programs and resources designed to support children’s behavioral health.
Types of children’s mental health disorders
- Anxiety Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychosis
- Self-Harm
Iowa's 1st Five Healthy Mental Development initiative builds partnerships between physician practices and public service providers to enhance high quality well-child care. 1st Five promotes the use of developmental tools that support healthy mental development for young children during the first five years. By using a tool for all children that includes social-emotional developmental and family risk factors, providers are able to identify children at risk for developmental concerns that, if left untreated, could play out later in life.
The focus of Early ACCESS is to support parents to help their children learn and grow throughout their everyday activities and routines. Early ACCESS is available to infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 years who meet eligibility requirements.
EPSDT is the Early Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment program for children who are enrolled in Medicaid. The focus of this program is to assure that eligible children ages birth through 20 years receive preventive health care services, including oral health care. In Iowa, the EPSDT program is called Care for Kids. EPSDT Care for Kids services are free to children enrolled in Medicaid.
Finding Services
- Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or with a mental health disorder
- Adults with a serious mental illness or chronic mental illness
- Children and youth with a serious emotional disturbance
- Any of the above who have a co-occurring disorder, including but not limited to substance abuse, intellectual disability, a developmental disability, brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, or another disability or special health care need
CMHCs provide the following services:
- Outpatient services
- 24-hour emergency services
- Day treatment, partial hospitalization or psychosocial rehabilitation services
- Community support services
- Consultation services
- Education services
Click here to find your local CMHC.
Support and assistance is available through Live Chat, by calling (855) 581-8111, or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Regional Resources
- Providing access to a full array of services including crisis services, inpatient and outpatient mental health services, and daily living supports
- Funding core services for individuals who meet regional eligibility criteria
- Connecting individuals to services and supports
Find your MHDS Regional CEO contacts here.
MHDS Regions have established regional websites that provide more information on the services and supports available in their counties. Regional websites are available below:
- Central Iowa Community Services
- County Rural Offices of Social Services
- County Social Services
- Eastern Iowa MHDS Region
- Heart of Iowa Region
- MHDS Services of the East Central Region
- Polk County Health Services
- Rolling Hills Community Services Region
- Sioux Rivers MHDS
- South Central Behavioral Health
- Southeast Iowa Link
- Southern Hills Regional Mental Health
- Southwest Iowa MHDS Region
Support and assistance is available through Live Chat, by calling (855) 581-8111, or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Crisis services and other immediate resources
Support and assistance is available through Live Chat, by calling (855) 581-8111, or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Find more information on YMHFA here.
Support and assistance is available through Live Chat, by calling (855) 581-8111, or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Self-care Checklist
- Take a walk outside.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Make yourself or have a parent or guardian make a meal that you enjoy.
- Re-read one of your all-time favorite books.
- Give someone a compliment – and then compliment yourself too.
- Play with a pet.
- Listen to a favorite music playlist.
- Take a hot shower or bath.
- It’s okay to say no – give yourself permission to choose how you spend your time, resources or energy.
- Think about 10 things you are thankful for.
- Spend a few minutes stretching and breathing deeply.
- Take a short break for a healthy drink or snack.
- Watch your favorite movie.
- Write yourself a letter about a few things that are bothering you – then throw it away.
- Call us at Your Life Iowa.
Source: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Support and assistance is available through Live Chat, by calling (855) 581-8111, or by texting (855) 895-8398.
Want to find help on your own?
Your Life Iowa is always here to help you find resources near you. However, we understand that sometimes you’d like to look for help on your own. Our map will let you do just that.
Would you like a mental health professional to contact you?
Fill out a simple contact form and a professional will reach out to you.
Are you family or friends with someone who needs help with children’s mental health?
Find out how Your Life Iowa can provide support for them – and you.