IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa’s Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is expanding its reach to more school-aged children across Iowa, leveraging both state and federal funding to support a growing need for child mental health services. Launched in 2021 with $20 million in federal pandemic aid, the center has made significant strides in addressing the mental health needs of Iowa’s youth, particularly in underserved rural areas.
In 2022, the center was renamed to honor a $15 million donation from the Scanlan Family Foundation, which became the largest gift in the history of the UI College of Education. Now, as the center expands, it is shifting to a fee-for-service model to sustain its long-term operations and ensure broader access to its services.
From Therapy to Psychiatry: An Expanded Focus
Initially offering therapy-based services, the Scanlan Center began expanding its scope in 2023 to include a psychiatry clinic. This expansion aimed to address gaps in Iowa’s child psychiatric services, particularly in rural areas with minimal access to child psychiatry specialists. The center’s psychiatrist, Amanda Elliott, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Iowa, is leading the effort to broaden access to psychiatric evaluations and short-term treatment for common issues like ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
“We’re upgrading our services to make them available to students in all 99 counties across Iowa,” Elliott said. The services will be available to K-12 students ages 10 and up, and will be offered virtually for maximum accessibility, thus eliminating the barrier of physical location.
The new psychiatric services will provide evaluations and treatment for common mental health challenges among young people, including ADHD, anxiety, and depression, with a particular focus on providing care for students in rural areas where psychiatric services are scarce.
Addressing Iowa’s Child Psychiatrist Shortage
Iowa has long struggled with a shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists, a problem exacerbated by the pandemic. Even before COVID-19, the state had just eight child psychiatrists per 100,000 young people—far below the national average of 15 per 100,000. Iowa ranks near the bottom in terms of access to child psychiatric services, with 86% of counties lacking any child psychiatrists. This shortage has had significant consequences, with many rural areas struggling to access care.
Elliott pointed out that only 14 counties in Iowa have at least one child psychiatrist, and most of these are located in urban centers. Rural counties face the greatest challenges in finding care for children and adolescents. The mental health needs in these areas are further compounded by factors such as family financial stress, disruptions to academic progress caused by the pandemic, and difficulty reacclimating socially after long periods of isolation during school closures.
“Some of the social and academic skills young people lost during the COVID years are creating additional stress, which is exacerbating issues like anxiety and depression,” Elliott said. “These factors have led to an increase in mental health issues, and our expansion is aimed at meeting those needs.”
Reaching More Students with Expanded Services
In the first year of its psychiatry clinic, the Scanlan Center focused on supporting two of Iowa’s underserved area education agencies. Now, with its expanded reach, the center plans to offer psychiatric services to all students across Iowa. The expansion is also being facilitated through virtual platforms, making mental health services more accessible to students regardless of their geographical location.
From Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, the center has already provided 1,037 counseling sessions to students from 72 school districts across 60 counties in Iowa. Of these clients, a significant portion—more than half—are from rural counties, and many students are from low-income families.
Financial Aid and Accessibility
While the expansion of services marks a significant milestone, the center is also navigating the challenge of shifting from grant funding to a fee-for-service model. The $20 million in federal funds that initially supported the center has now ended, and the university is moving toward a more sustainable funding structure. Despite this shift, Elliott emphasized that the center remains committed to reaching underserved and low-income populations.
“We have financial aid available for families who don’t have insurance or have high co-pays,” Elliott explained. “Our goal is to make sure that financial barriers don’t prevent kids from getting the help they need. We have a built-in safety net for those who fall through the gaps.”
The Growing Need for Mental Health Services
The need for mental health services for Iowa’s young people has never been more pressing. According to Elliott, the issues most frequently seen in young clients include ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Many students also experience symptoms related to bullying, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. In fact, among the students served by the Scanlan Center, 26% reported suicidal thoughts, 11% had a history of self-harm, and 13% had experienced trauma. The pandemic exacerbated these problems, making mental health care more crucial than ever.
“Iowa’s youth mental health crisis is growing,” Elliott said. “With the increased stressors students are facing today, it’s vital to provide them with the support and care they need.”
The Road Ahead
As the center continues to grow and expand its services, it remains focused on its mission: to provide high-quality, accessible mental health care for all students, regardless of location or financial status. The move to a fee-for-service model ensures the center’s long-term sustainability, but its commitment to financial aid ensures that no student is turned away due to financial barriers.
By continuing to expand its reach, the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is playing a critical role in addressing the mental health needs of Iowa’s youth and helping to ensure that all students have the resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
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