What Resources Are Available To Help Someone Achieve Good Levels of Mental Health?

In our post-pandemic era, people are increasingly grappling with stress, anxiety and other mental health concerns — and Heart of Iowa Community Services (HICS) wants finding help to be easy. No matter the need, Heart of Iowa fills the gaps and connects you and your family with service providers who best fit your needs. We serve individuals from all backgrounds in Audubon, Dallas and Guthrie counties.

HICS can help whether you’re facing short- or long-term mental health issues, live with an intellectual or developmental disability and want to improve your quality of life, are transitioning out of incarceration, or simply don’t know where to turn. Everyone is welcome.

Here are resources available to help someone achieve good levels of mental health, as well as resources for mental health crisis. From traditional therapy options to innovative digital solutions, we delve into the diverse array of tools and mental health support systems designed to guide individuals toward a path of mental well-being. Help is available, and knowing where to find it can empower you to take the next step in asking for it.   

What Services Are Available for People With Mental Health Concerns?

A variety of services are available to support individuals struggling with mental health concerns, ranging from traditional therapeutic interventions to modern digital platforms. Individuals may need one or a combination of services to receive care that aligns with their specific mental health conditions and personal preferences. These services are only part of a comprehensive and diverse mental health support system.

1. Therapy and Counseling Services: Therapy can be valuable when the professional guidance resonates with the individual receiving care and is offered in a confidential, safe environment. Therapists provide emotional support, teach communication and coping skills, and promote self-reflection and awareness to empower people as they navigate life’s challenges and strive to achieve good mental health outcomes. Individual, couples, family or group therapy are options to explore. Teletherapy and therapy apps can provide therapy services via video or phone.
2. Psychiatric Services: These services often include medical interventions based on psychiatric evaluations by psychiatrists, who are medical doctors. Evaluations reveal underlying biological factors impacting mental health, allowing psychiatrists to accurately diagnose and prescribe medication to appropriately address the concerns. These services typically focus on medication adjustments and monitoring rather than the long-term skill-building of therapy.
3. Community-Based Services: Support groups, educational programs, nonprofit programs, and other forms of connection and counseling through community services are often more accessible and affordable forms of mental health support. In fostering a sense of community, these services can reduce stigma, promote social health, and offer emotional connection in a local and familiar environment.

Contact us to see how HICS can best serve you.

What Are Examples of Mental Health Resources?

Mental health resources encompass a wide range of tools, support systems and information designed to help individuals manage and improve their well-being. Here are a few examples of mental health resources:

Online Platforms and Apps: Fitness, meditation and health-related apps can provide connection and expert-level resources to improve all aspects of your health and well-being.

Support Groups: Perry Networkers provides resources for mental health professionals and human service providers. The group meets monthly at the Perry Public Library in Perry, Iowa.

Community Mental Health Centers: NAMI Iowa provides support groups and educational resources for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Your workplace may offer an employee assistance program that provides confidential counseling and support services for employees. Connect with your human resources department to find out if this resource is available to you.

Educational Websites: The National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health America, and PsychCentral are websites to explore conditions, learn more about symptoms and treatments, and find the latest research. 

Therapeutic Hotlines: Your Life Iowa hotline (855-581-8111) is a 24/7 service to connect you to resources to help you get your life back on track.

These examples represent a fraction of the diverse mental health resources available. It's important for individuals to explore and leverage different resources to find the best ones to match their needs and preferences. If you need assistance determining which resource is right for you, please contact your local Heart of Iowa location.

What Are Some Resources a Person Could Use To Get Help for a Mental or Emotional Disorder?

In addition to the mental health resource examples listed in the previous section, here are some resources for a person to get help with a mental or emotional disorder.

Local Resources: Community-based organizations can offer a range of mental health services, including counseling and support groups. In addition to a local therapist, your preferred hospital or primary care provider, here are a few from the Heart of Iowa resources guide:

• Adel Mental Health
• Children and Families of Iowa
• Mid-Iowa Family Therapy Clinic
• Southwest Iowa Mental Health

These resources are usually staffed 24/7 to provide immediate access to counselors via phone or chat. Spanish-language services may also be available.

Social Media and Online Communities: Platforms like Reddit mental health communities (e.g., r/mentalhealth and r/anxiety) and Facebook groups can be places where individuals share experiences and offer support.

Crisis Stabilization: Crisis stabilization prevents those with complex mental health issues from being involuntarily or inappropriately incarcerated. Heart of Iowa Community Services connects people in crisis to a provider who allows them to stay in a safe space for three to five days. During this time, professionals identify a network of appropriate community resources to assist in long-term recovery. 

If you need assistance determining which resource is right for you, please contact your local Heart of Iowa location.

Who To Call When Someone Is Having a Mental Health Crisis

If you are in crisis or don’t know how to move forward, call or text 988. You’ll be connected with a crisis counselor who can assist you, whether you’re experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis.

Though you can call 988 if you need guidance in helping someone you know, you can also start by following these 10 steps to support individuals facing a mental health crisis.

1. Be present and calm. When someone comes to you to share they are having suicidal thoughts or intend to harm themselves, do your best to keep your focus on them and provide a calm and nurturing response. Quickly determine the immediate safety of the person and those around you. If there is an imminent risk, call 988 or emergency services.
2. Ask for what they need in the moment. As an immediate response, ask the person if they want you to only listen or if they want you to listen, provide guidance or support, and/or seek professional help. Respect their preferences and boundaries while also maintaining safety.
3. Actively listen. Provide a safe, judgement-free space for them to express their thoughts and feelings. Be engaged in the conversation.
4. Express support and concern. If you intend to be a source of continued support, let them know you care about them, show concern for their well-being, and tell them you want them to connect and talk with you.
5. Avoid assumptions. Rather than believing they should feel a certain way or that something is wrong with them, allow them to lead the conversation. Ask questions for understanding.
6. Encourage professional help. If they are hesitant, offer to help find a counselor or therapist on their behalf. Heart of Iowa Community Services can help whether an individual is having suicidal thoughts, a caregiver urgently needs help with a child struggling with mental health issues, or a person wants immediate help with substance use problems or gambling addiction. No matter the need, we can guide you through the process. Funding is our concern, not yours.
7. Help them connect with others. Seek out opportunities for them to improve their social health and well-being by going with them to support groups or connecting them to local resources.
8. Be patient. When it comes to other people and their mental health, you can’t control how long it will take them to recover. The process is different for every person experiencing a crisis. Improvement will take time.
9. Do your research. Knowing more about the specific mental health condition the person is experiencing can help enhance your empathy and prepare you for certain symptoms or outcomes.
10. Follow up and keep communication open. After the immediate crisis or initial conversation, check in with the person regularly. Set recurring phone or in-person conversations. Consistent communication mitigates feelings of loneliness and can help promote social and mental well-being. While ongoing support can be a great resource for them, it can be a source of stress for you. Express expectations and boundaries upfront and ensure you take care of your mental health as well.