One of every five Iowa residents suffers from some form of mental illness. That’s roughly 600,000 residents. Of them, about 37,000 are suffering from an SMI, or serious mental illness. Luckily for Iowans, the state consistently ranks among those with the most access to mental healthcare. Still, that doesn’t mean everyone’s getting it. In fact, almost half of Iowa residents with some form of mental illness do not receive care.
Fortunately, there’s help. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential, and available to all Iowa residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-866-903-3787 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is a crisis support service that runs 24/7. When you call or text this number, you’re immediately connected to a trained crisis counselor who can talk with you about what you’re going through. Depending on where you live, the counselor may also be able to connect you to local crisis intervention services to help you get immediate in-person support.
988
Your Life Iowa
This organization is available around the clock to offer support and access to resources for any Iowan in need of care. Call 1-855-581-8111 or send a text to 1-855-895-8398. There is also a live chat available on their homepage.
Polk County 24-Hour Crisis Line
If you live in Polk County and you’re looking for a crisis center in Iowa near you, you can call the 24-hour crisis line to talk to a trained professional or get connected to local in-person resources.
(855) 581-8111
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness operates the NAMI Helpline for those experiencing a mental health crisis or needing someone to talk to. You can get around-the-clock text support or call the phone line Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.
Call: (800) 950-6264
Text: 741-741
If you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Around 1 in 5 residents of Iowa have some form of mental illness, and that means there are around 600,000 people experiencing similar struggles. While Iowa consistently ranks high for access to mental health services, only about half of those struggling in the state actually receive care.
Mental health affects every aspect of your life, and it takes courage to reach out for help. You’ve taken an important first step today, and you should be proud of yourself. Below, you’ll find hotlines that can offer immediate support and referrals to crisis centers in Iowa for more in-depth care.