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.
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.
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 8 PM EST, there is a 24/7 text line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.