The shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists in Iowa is a pressing concern, with many residents unable to access necessary mental health care. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, there are only 62 child and adolescent psychiatrists statewide, leaving 86% of Iowa counties without any practitioners. The impact of this gap in care has been especially pronounced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting efforts from the University of Iowa’s Scanlan Center for School Mental Health to expand psychiatric services via telehealth across the state.
Amanda Elliot, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Iowa, emphasizes the importance of early intervention in addressing mental health issues. “The earlier we can pair services to target symptoms as well as coping skills, the better the long-term success for students,” Elliot stated.
The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is working to provide short-term psychiatric care to K-12 students throughout Iowa, collaborating with school districts and families to ensure access to essential services and eliminate barriers to care. The center was established with state funding through COVID-19 relief resources and offers a range of services, including clinical support, research, training, and professional development for educators.
Since the 2022-2023 school year, the center has been providing both individual and group therapy to students and teachers. Elliot initiated psychiatric services in the state’s most underserved areas last summer, beginning in the southwest and expanding to the northeast. As of this school year, her services are available to any school district in Iowa.
The aftermath of the pandemic highlighted significant academic delays and social development challenges for students who were unable to attend school, contributing to rising levels of anxiety and depression among young people. Elliot noted that access to mental health care can help mitigate these issues.
Alissa Doobay, director of clinical services at the center, expressed enthusiasm about reaching rural youth who might otherwise lack access to mental health services. “We’re very excited for this opportunity, because we know that mental health care is a critical need in our state, particularly for youth, and the demand for psychiatric care is even greater,” Doobay remarked.
The center connects with students and teachers through school districts and Area Education Agencies. After ensuring that schools can provide a safe environment and the necessary technology, staff members meet with families to gather information and arrange appointments for students in need.
Both therapy and psychiatric services are designed to be short-term, allowing the center to serve a larger number of individuals while encouraging clients to seek long-term care when necessary. Although COVID-19 relief funding concluded in September, resulting in a fee for services following the initial consultation, Elliot stated that insurance options are utilized to offset costs. Families without insurance or with lower incomes may qualify for financial assistance, and the center is actively pursuing additional grants.
From October 2023 to September 2024, the center facilitated 1,037 sessions for 114 individual clients across 72 school districts. Approximately 8% of these clients were uninsured, while nearly a quarter were enrolled in Medicaid.
While Elliot does not have specific targets for the current school year, she is hopeful about helping more children develop better coping skills and access necessary mental health care. Families have expressed gratitude for the school’s involvement and the increased accessibility of care. “Families appreciate that their kids can receive treatment without needing to drive three or four hours to find a therapist or psychiatrist, and without taking excessive time off work,” she concluded.
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