As a helping heart for our communities, we share tips through our blog on managing mental health struggles and connecting with disability services.
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Stay Aware, Be Prepared With Suicide Prevention Resources
As a parent, friend, neighbor or community member, there are a variety of things you can do to be aware of suicide warning signs among the people you see and interact with on a frequent basis. When we know the signs, we can work together to find solutions and help before it’s too late. Trust Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) to be an everyday resource for Iowans when it comes to mental health challenges and crisis intervention.
09.21.2023
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Iowans know — and use — the national 988 number
Over the course of a year, more than 31,000 Iowans utilized the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to Foundation 2 Crisis Services and CommUnity Crisis Services, two Iowa agencies contracted with the state Department of Health and Human Services to field calls from across the state. That’s more than double the 12,000 calls a year the agencies have received, on average, in past years.
08.18.2023
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Tony shares the gift of connection.
“Heart of Iowa (HICS) stepped in. I lived here for six months as a resident, then I stayed one month on as a resident advisor and helped the other residents. Then once I graduated the program, two weeks later I came to work here,” Tony said. “I’ve been sober ever since. Now I look at it as all those rock bottoms that I hit all the time, my higher power, my guide saved me. He kept me alive for a reason. I think that reason is to do this. To help other people, to be here, to share my story. To show them how recovery can work and what you can get out of recovery when you do the right things and you make the right decisions.”
07.21.2023
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LEARN ABOUT, EMBRACE THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY
June 19, or Juneteenth, is the nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
06.19.2023
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John breaks barriers with help from Heart of Iowa Community Services.
Sometimes a little help can go a long way to bring someone out of their shell. Jordan Tarin is a service coordinator for Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS). “When I first met John, we had a meeting at our office, and John, at the time, had lived with his grandma and grandpa. He had just graduated from high school, and they were trying to figure out next steps for John,” said Jordan.
05.23.2023
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Mental Health, Services a Priority for LGBTQ+ Community
When it comes to providing mental health support, Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) is here with a helping heart for residents — including youth — living in Audubon, Dallas and Guthrie counties. Just like adults, children, including adolescents and young adults, can face complex mental health issues. When their identity is challenged, it is critical for parents, caregivers and friends know how to provide support.
04.18.2023
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Any way you say it, HICS is committed to improving brain health.
For the past couple of years, Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS), along with the rest of Iowa’s 14 Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) Regions, have adopted the term brain health in efforts to reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness, brain health disease and brain illness. Now, the language suggestion has made its way to the Capital, where supporters say opening up the language and terminology allows for more preventative and earlier treatments of those Iowans with brain health issues.
03.16.2023
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Heart of Iowa onboards additional partners to CIT co-responder program in 2023.
In response to a growing need for mental health resources for law enforcement professionals, Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) has made plans to expand its innovative Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) co-responder program throughout the Dallas County and Des Moines metro region in 2023.
02.15.2023