SUPPORTING A HEALTHIER IOWA

The BLN Community Grant Program helps fund mental health services and other public health projects around the state.

IN A TYPICAL YEAR, about one in five Iowans, or around 600,000 people, are affected by a mental health challenge. With the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimates are now closer to one in four Iowans, according to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Iowa.

NAMI Iowa also notes the state’s critical lack of mental health providers and services. Reports show 89 of Iowa’s 99 counties are federally designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS

The NAMI Southeast Iowa affiliate based in West Burlington addresses mental health needs in its region. To help meet an increasing demand for services, the organization applied for and received funding from the College of Public Health’s Business Leadership Network (BLN) 2021 Community Grant Program.

The affiliate serves the Iowa counties of Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Van Buren, and Washington. Much of this area is rural, where accessing quality mental health care can be difficult.

“The pandemic has caused an increase in anxiety, depression, and suicide. Many people have a poor understanding of what mental illness is and how to cope with it, whether in a loved one or themselves,” wrote Terri Elliott, chair of NAMI Southeast Iowa, in the grant application letter.

The organization will use the grant to conduct evidence-based mental health education classes in each of the eight counties it serves.

“The purpose of these classes will be to help reduce stigma and increase knowledge and coping skills related to mental illness,” Elliott wrote.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE

The courses can also improve participants’ adherence to treatment and quality of life, Elliott added. “Ultimately, we hope that these classes reduce the number of people who feel alone as they cope with mental health conditions. It should help reduce suicide rates and reduce rates of hospitalization for mental health conditions.”

The classes will be led by volunteers who have received NAMI training. The classes are free for participants, and the BLN Community Grant funds will cover the cost of advertising, student manuals, and teaching materials.

NAMI Southeast Iowa is collaborating with First United Methodist Church in Burlington, Iowa, on the mental health education project, and plans to partner with other churches, counseling organizations, public health departments, city councils, and individual businesses in order to sustain the program and expand other offerings.

In addition to NAMI Southeast Iowa, the BLN’s Community Grant Program funded four other Iowa community organizations in 2021. The organizations received grant awards of up to $3,000 to support public health-related initiatives and projects in their communities. The projects run from March 1 to December 31, 2021.

Funding for the BLN Community Grant Program is provided by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. The grant program also requires recipients to secure an equal cash or in-kind match from other community organizations or businesses.

The additional 2021 BLN Community Grant Program projects and locations are:

BUILDING BRIDGES – BURLINGTON

The Getting Ahead Workshop project will provide an 18-week workshop to help families and individuals living in poverty develop resources and a support system to help them succeed in their work and personal lives. The program focuses on strengthening skills in 11 areas: financial, emotional, language, mental/cognitive, social capital/ connections, physical, spiritual, motivation, integrity, relationships, and knowledge of hidden social rules.

CEDAR/JONES EARLY CHILDHOOD IOWA – ANAMOSA

The Jones County Story Walk project aims to promote early literacy while children and families engage in educational and physical activities. A children’s book will be installed and displayed pageby-page on posts along a park path in Jones County. Walking the path, children and their families can read the story and participate in related activities listed on each page. A variety of books will be interchanged on a regular basis.

SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM-PARENTS AS TEACHERS – CHARITON

The CPR and First Aid project will provide education and training to parents and caregivers to increase knowledge on how to take action in an emergency situation. A staff member will obtain CPR and basic First Aid instructor certification to provide free or low-cost trainings to low-income families enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program, area childcare providers, and other community partners.

VINTON/SHELLSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT – VINTON

The Student Leadership Project seeks to combat negative consequences such as substance use, mental illness, and risk of suicide for students who have faced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The project will provide students with resources and opportunities to develop leadership skills to reduce the effects of ACEs so that they can make a positive impact in their own school, community, and lives.