Winter 2016: Mental and Behavioral Health

The Winter 2016 campaign focused on mental and behavioral health among the rural farm population. Suicide rates among farmers remain higher than other occupational groups and high risk populations, such as veterans. I-CASH distributed brochures with crisis and suicide prevention hotline information to all ISU Extension and Outreach offices and all Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in Iowa. In addition, 25 Extension and FSA offices received carabiner key chains printed with the message “stay connected” and an informational card with hotline resources.

Scroll down for resources or download and print a brochure for distribution.

Suicide warning signs and resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Statewide Hotline and Referral Numbers

2-1-1 United Way Information & Referral

Children & Families of Iowa (515) 288-1981
Offers a complete range of out-patient mental health services to support individuals and families wishing to address mental health issues, improve parenting skills and gain perspective in order to reach their goals. Services are available in the Des Moines area, as well as in Ankeny, Fort Dodge, Osceola, and Ottumwa.

CommUnity Crisis Services 1-855-325-4296; (319) 351-0140
Provides immediate support through crisis intervention, food bank and emergency assistance, and community intervention programs.

Depression Understood
Depression contact information for the state of Iowa as well as chat rooms and other resources.

Disability Rights IOWA 1-800-779-2502
Defends and promotes the right of Iowans who have disabilities and mental illness through a program of self advocacy education, information and referral, and both non-legal and legal systems advocacy.

Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
Connects Iowans to the nearest crisis center for information, support, and counseling related to stress and anxiety, following a natural or human-caused disaster.

Family Caregiver Alliance 1-800-445-8106
Family Care Navigator helps family caregivers locate public, nonprofit, and private programs and services nearest their loved one—living at home or in a residential facility. Resources include government health and disability programs, legal resources, disease-specific organizations and more.

Foundation 2 Crisis Line 1-800-332-4224; (319) 362-2174 in Cedar Rapids
Provides trained, compassionate telephone counselors to assist Iowans dealing with a crisis, including suicide, divorce, serious illness, problems with friends/family, financial stresses, or substance abuse.

Iowa Crisis Chat 1-855-325-4296 (call or text)
Free instant-messaging service that offers online emotional support for anyone in need. Available from 9:00 am to 2:00 am central time, seven days a week. Outside of hours of operation, the link will connect you to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 24/7 chat.

Iowa COMPASS 1-800-779-2001
Iowa COMPASS is Iowa’s information and referral service for people with disabilities, their families, service providers, and other members of the community. Iowa COMPASS maintains information on over 5,500 local, state, and national agencies and programs. Phone line is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Iowa Concern 1-800-447-1985
Iowa Concern is a program of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach serving both urban and rural Iowans at no charge. Iowa Concern has access to an attorney for legal education, stress counselors, and information and referral services for a wide variety of topics.

Iowa Drug and Alcohol Help Line 1-855-581-8111 or text 1-855-895-8398
This is your first call in Iowa for substance abuse and gambling information, and referrals to treatment facilities and crisis counseling.

Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association 1-800-277-8145 or (515) 289-4567
Provides resources, referrals, and peer support to foster, adoptive, and kinship families throughout Iowa.

Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline 1-800-284-7821
Trained advocates provide free, confidential counseling and support, as well as referrals to medical and legal advocacy.

Iowa Victim Service Call Center 1-800-770-1650 or text “iowahelp” to 20121
Puts domestic abuse survivors or others affected by domestic violence in immediate contact with a trained advocate who can provide crisis counseling; provides information and education about domestic abuse issues; refers callers to the domestic violence project in their area of the state.

Iowa’s Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline 1-800-362-2178
Hotline for reporting suspected child or dependent adult abuse or fraud.

Speech to Speech Dial 7-1-1 and request Speech-to-Speech
Relay services for the hard of hearing, deaf, and those with speech disabilities.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1-800-662-HELP (4357); TTY: 1-800-487-4889
Also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service, this Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery. (English and Spanish).

TEEN Line 1-800-443-8336
TEEN Line is not a crisis or hotline but is a free, confidential line that provides personal and health-related information and referrals on topics such as: health, eating/weight, relations with parents or friends, violence, AIDS/HIV, alcohol or drug use, sexual relationships, birth control/pregnancy, and stress.

Veteran’s Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255; TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Connects veterans in crisis (and their families and friends) with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat or text.

Your Life Iowa (855) 581-8111 or text (855) 895-8398
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) offers a one-stop hub for Iowans looking for help with suicide prevention, problem gambling and substance abuse. The website integrates information and resources previously found on three separate sites, the IDPH Suicide Prevention web page, 1-800-BETS OFF, and the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center websites. The new system also offers a telephone helpline (all three previous toll free numbers will still be active), mobile-friendly internet-based communication (e.g., online chat), and texting capabilities.

Youth Law Center 1-800-728-1172
The Youth Law Center provides the Youth Law Hotline 8 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. Anyone living in Iowa who is under the age of 18 can call the hotline to get free legal advice and information regarding issues affecting youth rights and responsibilities.

Suicide Prevention Trainings

QPR Training
Question. Persuade. Refer. Three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. QPR Training Institute offers training to individuals or groups, in both online and in-person formats. Visit the QPR website to find a trainer near you.

Mental Health First Aid
An evidence-based training that helps community members identify and respond to signs of mental illness. Visit the website to find a training near you.

Talk Saves Lives rmnesbit@mchsi.com or (641) 990-4957
A community-based presentation from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) that covers the general scope of suicide, research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Contact Ryan Nesbit at the AFSP Iowa Chapterto have a Talk Saves Lives presentation in your community.