Mental Health School Social Worker – Operational Sharing Program

MSW Referral Process Flow Chart

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Crisis Intervention
• Behavior Management Strategies
• Referrals to community agencies
• Professional learning opportunities

• AHSTW
• CAM
• Central Decatur
• Children’s Square Shelter Classroom
• Council Bluffs Juvenile Detention Center
• Creston
• East Union
• Essex
• Hamburg
• Harlan
• IKM-Manning
• Lamoni
• Lewis Central
• Missouri Valley
• Mormon Trail
• Murray
• Nodaway Valley
• Orient-Macksburg
• Red Oak
• Rising Hope Academy (Clarinda and IKM-Manning)
• Riverside
• Treynor
• Tri-Center
• Underwood

General Mental Health Resources 

• NIMH The National Institute of Mental Health is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. This website provides information on research, funding, news and events, and provides brochures and fact sheets on mental disorders. 

• NAMI The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization. The website includes information on education, support groups, advocacy, and more. 

• SAMHSA The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. It provides information on treatment locations, risks of substance use, and much more.

• MentalHealth.gov MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to mental health resources for those with mental illness, parents and caregivers members, friends and family members, educators, and community and faith leaders. 
• Iowa AEA Mental Health & Wellbeing This website is a collaboration of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and was built and is maintained through funding from the Iowa Legislature. 

Admin Toolbox -  Supporting staff, MTSS

• Regional Mental Health Resources QR codes for Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) through Iowa Department of Human Services in the Green Hills AEA area. 

• NITT SMRP Toolkit This toolkit uses a multitiered system of support (MTSS) framework within schools and in collaboration with other agencies to provide best practice guidance and practical tools and strategies to support the mental health of students. 

• MTSS Basics This article describes the key components of the MTSS framework, including Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) as a part of MTSS. 

Educators: 

Educators' Mental Health:

• Teachers: Protecting Your Mental HealthThis article provides strategies to help yourself as a teacher and ways to help other teachers. It also includes a link to several mental health screeners. 

• Self-Care Guide for TeachersThis includes a free download from Calm with strategies and resources for self-care such as mindfulness, meditation, sleep hygiene, practicing gratitude, and more.

• Your Life Iowa Call, text, or chat for 24/7 Crisis Support (alcohol, drugs, gambling, suicidal thoughts, mental health)

Supporting Students’ Mental Health:

• Mood Crew A fun and engaging educational program, designed for ages 4 to 10, that helps adults open a positive conversation about feelings with children.  
• Virtual Calming Room A place for students to find tools and strategies to manage their emotions. 
• PBIS World- teaching coping skills
• 30 Days of Mindfulness in the Classroom This includes a free download from Calm with 30 days of mindfulness lessons for the classroom, including reflection question(s) for each practice.

• Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource Developed by SMH Ontario, this resource provides links to easy-to-implement evidence-informed mental health practices for elementary classrooms including executive functioning skills, healthy relationship skills, identification and management of emotions, positive motivation and perseverance, self-awareness and sense of identity, and stress management and coping skills. 
• Emotional Regulation Activities for Tweens & Teens- article review emotional regulation strategies for tweens/teens (by Edutopia)
• Signs of Student Distress & Age Appropriate Interventions - Downloadable resource from Classroom Well-Being Information and Strategies for Educators (Classroom WISE) that reviews signs that signal a student is in distress and provides relevant intervention strategies that educators and school staff can implement. Additional considerations for supporting students in elementary settings and secondary settings are included for each domain. 
• Tips for Starting Mental Health Conversations- 
• Downloadable resource from Classroom Well-Being Information and Strategies for Educators (Classroom WISE) that provides tips to use to start mental health conversations with students.
• Classroom Mental Health A website that provides resources for teachers of high school students. Includes lessons on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), information on mental health disorders, how to talk to and support students, and how to talk to guardians. 

• Iowa Safe Schools Resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students

Parent/Guardian Resources:

• Virtual Calming Room A place for kids to find tools and strategies to manage their emotions.

• Coping Skills for Kids Practical ways to help kids cope with stress, anxiety, and anger.

• Regional Mental Health Resources
• Child Mind Institute: Family Resource Center - Provides information to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges. Includes downloadable guides.
•  Iowa Safe Schools Resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students

Student Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.8255
• Preventing Teen Suicide - Tips for Peers Flyer from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) with risk factors, warning signs, and guidance on what to do if a peer is suicidal. 
• How to Support a Friend with Mental Health Challenges Article for teens on how to support a peer with mental health challenges while still taking care of yourself.
• Simple Coping Skills:
  • Triangle Breathing  
  • Virtual Calming Room
  • 54321
  • Mindful Minute  
  • Iowa Safe Schools Resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students

• Classroom Well-being Information and Strategies for Educators (WISE) - Free mental health literacy course for teachers and school staff
• Suicide in Schools training 
• PREPaRE training

Find more professional learning opportunities here!