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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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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What are community-based activities for mental health?
Erasing the stigma and stereotypes that surround mental health is no easy task, but it’s necessary as more than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. are estimated to suffer from some form of mental illness. Facilities like Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) can help guide individuals on their path to better mental health, but unfortunately, only about 40% of people seek mental health support.
07.14.2023
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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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What are mental health crisis resources?
Any person can experience mental health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25% of adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness.
05.15.2023
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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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What are signs of emotional unhealth in a person?
Unlike physical illnesses, there are no simple medical tests to diagnose mental illnesses. A mental health care professional can study a patient using a list of symptoms, behaviors and feelings over a period of time to make an official diagnosis of a mental illness, as well as ways to offer mental health support.
03.15.2023