Your (Unofficial) Guide to State-Sponsored Therapy in Iowa
There’s a way to get affordable mental health care that you might not know about. That’s Iowa’s mental health system.
If you qualify, you can get mental health care at a community mental health center for a small co-pay or low sliding-scale fee. But even if you don’t qualify for services at a state-funded provider, Iowa’s system can still give you information, referrals to affordable local programs, and other essential help for free.
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If you’re in a hurry and want to get the most important information about what’s available in the Iowa mental health system and who it’s for, you can read our quick start guide below.
Quick Start Guide
Quick facts about Iowa’s mental health system:
- Iowa’s ongoing mental health system redesign process has changed the delivery of public mental health services from a county-based model to a regional model.
- Iowa has updated its mental health crisis response system by opening new crisis units, expanding mobile crisis response services, and launching the 988 crisis line.
- Public outpatient mental health services in Iowa are provided by programs called community mental health centers.
- Most Iowa community mental health centers accept Medicaid and offer low sliding-scale fees to people without insurance coverage.
What services are available?
- Iowa’s mental health system offers specialty mental health services that can be hard to find anywhere else, like case management and community-based support services.
- Outpatient mental health services including psychiatric evaluation, medication, and therapy are also available at most community mental health centers.
Who’s eligible?
- Some services, such as state and local crisis and information lines, are available to any Iowa resident without exception.
- Some services are only available to people who have severe conditions like major depression or schizophrenia. However, more people have one of these conditions than realize it! In fact, 1 in 10 Americans experience major depression each year.
Where can you get started?
- You can reach local mental health crisis and information services from anywhere in Iowa by dialing 988 or (855) 581-8111.
- You can find the number for your local community mental health center (as well as your local crisis line) by scrolling to your region in the directory below.
To learn more about public mental health services in Iowa, keep reading. We’ve done the research to uncover essential facts about who’s eligible, what services you can get, when to go, where to call, and how it works so you can decide if Iowa’s mental health system might be right for you.
Who Is Eligible?
The Iowa public mental health system can help with a wide range of mental health needs, but you should especially consider looking into it if you (or a loved one) are having a mental health crisis, have a severe mental health condition, have Medicaid, or have a limited income.
Everyone in Iowa can use the state-funded mental health emergency response system. If you or someone you love is in crisis, you can call a state or local crisis line to get the help you need, quickly.
Even if you’re not in crisis, you can call your local mental health hotline for information about affordable mental health services in your area. When you call, you can find out whether you might qualify for state-funded mental health services, schedule an assessment or intake appointment, or get free information about other affordable local providers.
PRO TIP
Use the State System When You're in Crisis
Public mental health services are usually the best option if you’re having a mental health crisis and need help right away.
State mental health programs are required to provide mental health crisis response services and are one of the fastest ways to get care when you’re having a mental health emergency.
The people who answer state and local crisis lines can provide caring attention and support as they help you determine the best response to a crisis, whether it’s inpatient treatment or an appointment with a counselor.
In general, the Iowa mental health system is pretty accessible. There are no statewide eligibility criteria for public outpatient mental health services in Iowa and most community mental health centers serve people with a wide range of mental health needs. At many CMHCs, you’re eligible for therapy as long as you live in one of the counties the program serves.
For example, Seasons Center states that they not only treat “symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression,” but also work with clients on “building self-esteem and self-efficacy, gaining insight into relationships, coping with traumatic events, and making difficult decisions.”
Plains Area Mental Health Center “welcomes people of all ages and from all backgrounds” to seek therapy there. Berryhill Center states that they treat “a range of emotional and behavioral disorders from short-term problems to the most disabling illnesses.” Pathways states, “People turn to Pathways to help for many reasons [including] depression, anxiety, anger management, work- or school-related problems, and family concerns.”
However, specialty services like case management and psychosocial rehabilitation usually have more restrictive eligibility criteria. Many CMHCs offer these specialty services. If you have serious mental health symptoms that put you at risk of hospitalization or homelessness, you may benefit from reaching out to your CMHC to learn more about intensive community-based support.
PRO TIP
Check Out the State System If You Need Specialized Services
Community mental health centers in Iowa are great places to find specialized and intensive mental health services like case management and day treatment that can be hard to find anywhere else. These specialty programs can give you extra help when you’re dealing with severe symptoms.
However, while you don’t have to meet eligibility criteria to be able to get outpatient mental health services at a community mental health center, you do need to meet financial and clinical eligibility criteria to qualify for state financial assistance.
To meet clinical eligibility criteria, you need to have a serious mental health condition (a diagnosable condition that affects your daily functioning) or a limited income (generally 200 percent of the federal poverty level or less). If you don’t meet these criteria, you may have to pay the full fee for services at an Iowa CMHC. However, some may still offer sliding-scale fees based on your income. Most also accept a range of public and private insurance plans.
In addition to community mental health centers, Iowa’s mental health system is made up of regional mental health authorities. They manage local provider networks and help people get state financial assistance for mental health services. If you think you might qualify for financial aid, you should contact your regional mental health authority to start the application process. You can find their contact information in the directory below.
Another great way to get financial assistance for mental health care in Iowa is to sign up for Medicaid. Not only do most community mental health centers accept it, but you can also use it to get medical and mental health services at other providers.
PRO TIP
Check If You're Eligible for Medicaid
Medicaid is a great way to access the public mental health system in Iowa. Not only do most programs in the public system accept it, but you can also use it to get services from many other programs and private practitioners.
Iowa accepted federal Medicaid expansion in 2014, so you’re eligible for Medicaid if your income is 138 percent of the federal poverty level or less. You may also qualify based on a combination of your income, your medical history, and your mental health condition.
If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible, it’s worth looking into. You can apply for Medicaid in person, by phone, or online. To learn more, you can go to a local Health and Human Services office or fill out an online application on the Iowa Medicaid page or Healthcare.gov.
You can find the number for your local CMHC in the directory below. You can call to learn more about what services they offer, whether you’re eligible, and whether there’s a waitlist. We encourage you to call even if you think a CMHC might not be the right fit for you.
Even if you’re not eligible, or if the program doesn’t offer the service you want, they can probably still help you. Community mental health workers are knowledgeable about local resources and will often give you free information or even referrals to other affordable providers nearby, including local non-profits that provide free or low-cost counseling.
Where Do You Call to Get Started?
One of the best ways to learn more about state mental healthcare in Iowa is to call the regional behavioral health authority or community mental health center that serves your area. You can find contact information for your region in the directory in the next section.
There are also many other numbers you can call for help no matter where you are in Iowa, including the state mental health crisis and information line. You can find the numbers for Iowa’s statewide helplines and hotlines in the information box directly below.
PRO TIP
Important Numbers in Iowa
The nationwide mental health crisis hotline is 988.
The Crisis Text Line for the state of Iowa is 741741.
The statewide Iowa Mental Health Crisis Hotline is (855) 581-8111.
For help and referrals for mental health and other needs, you can also call 211.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline is 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
You can reach the non-emergency NAMI Iowa Helpline by calling (515) 254-0417.
If you just need to talk to someone, you can call the 24/7 Iowa Warm Line at (844) 775-9276.
You can contact the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, which manages the Iowa public mental health system, by calling (800) 972-2017.
Public mental health services in Iowa are managed on the state level by the Mental and Behavioral Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services. For general information about Iowa’s mental health system, you can contact DHHS at (800) 972-2017.
However, you’ll probably get the best results by calling the statewide crisis and information hotline, your regional behavioral health authority, or your local community mental health center. You can find the contact information for your region in the directory below.
Iowa CMHC Directory
Public outpatient and community-based mental health services in Iowa are managed by regional mental health authorities. Each regional authority plans and manages the mental health provider network in their region and helps people apply for state mental health funding assistance.
However, regional mental health authorities don’t directly provide outpatient mental health services. Public outpatient mental health services are primarily provided by community mental health centers. They offer basic outpatient services like therapy as well as specialty and intensive community-based mental health services. Many of them have been around for decades.
You can find the contact information for your regional behavioral health authority and CMHC in the directory below. You can also find numbers for local and regional crisis lines, links to apply for state funding assistance, and regional provider directories where you can find private providers and clinics that serve your region in addition to your local CMHC.
Iowa Clinics and Crisis Lines
Northwest Iowa Clinics and Crisis Lines
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Regional Mental Health Authorities:
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- Care Connections of Northern Iowa
- Serving Clay, Kossuth, Osceola, Palo Alto, Winnebago, and Worth Counties
- Main Number and Main Office (Spencer): (712) 264-3945
- Regional Crisis Line (Clay, Osceola, and Palo Alto Counties): (844) 345-4569
- Regional Crisis Line (Kossuth, Winnebago, and Worth Counties): (855) 581-1111
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- Care Connections of Northern Iowa
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- Rolling Hills Community Services Region
- Serving Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Crawford, Humboldt, Ida, Pocahontas, Sac, and Woodbury Counties
- Main Number and Main Office (Storm Lake): (712) 749-2556
- Regional Crisis Line (Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties): (888) 546-0730
- Regional Crisis Line (Woodbury County): (712) 279-2010
- Statewide Crisis Hotline (All Counties): (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network (Click on Your County)
- Rolling Hills Community Services Region
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- Sioux Rivers Mental Health and Disabilities Services
- Serving Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Plymouth, and Sioux Counties
- Service Coordinator (Dickinson and Emmet Counties): (712) 336-0775
- Service Coordinator (Lyon and Sioux Counties): (712) 209-9992
- Service Coordinator (O’Brien and Plymouth Counties): (712) 546-4652
- Regional Crisis Line (Plymouth County): (888) 546-0730
- Regional Crisis Line (Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, and Sioux Counties): (844) 345-4569
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network (Click on Your County)
- Sioux Rivers Mental Health and Disabilities Services
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Community Mental Health Centers:
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- Plains Area Mental Health Center:
- Serving Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Crawford, Dickinson, Ida, Plymouth, Sac, and Sioux Counties
- Main Number: (712) 546-4624
- Toll-Free: (800) 325-1192
- Crisis Line: (888) 546-0730
- Integrated Health Program: (712) 225-1490
- Turning Point Crisis Home (Sac City): (712) 662-8055
- Adult Outpatient Office Locations:
- Plymouth County Office (Le Mars): (712) 546-4624
- The Meeting Place (Le Mars): (712) 546-4624
- Sioux County Office (Orange City): (712) 546-4624
- Cherokee County Office (Cherokee): (712) 225-2575
- Ida County Office (Ida Grove): (712) 364-3500
- Buena Vista County Office (Storm Lake): (712) 213-8402
- Carroll County Office (Carroll): (712) 792-2991
- Club House (Carroll): (712) 792-6102
- Crawford County Office (Denison): (712) 263-3172
- Calhoun County Office (Lake City): (712) 792-2991
- Sac County Office (Sac City): (712) 662-8055
- Dickinson County Office (Spirit Lake): (712) 320-8112
- Plains Area Mental Health Center:
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- Seasons Center for Behavioral Health:
- Serving Buena Vista, Carroll, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Sioux, and Woodbury Counties
- Main Number: (712) 262-2922
- Toll-Free: (800) 242-5101
- Crisis Line: (844) 345-4569
- Adult Outpatient Office Locations:
- Buena Vista County Office (Storm Lake): (800) 242-5101
- Carroll County Office (Carroll): (800) 242-5101
- Clay County Office (Spencer): (712) 262-2922
- Dickinson County Office (Spirit Lake): (800) 242-5101
- Emmet County Office (Estherville): (800) 242-5101
- Lyon County Office (Rock Rapids): (800) 242-5101
- O’Brien County Office (Sheldon): (800) 242-5101
- Osceola County Office (Sibley): (800) 242-5101
- Palo Alto County Office (Emmetsburg): (800) 242-5101
- Sioux County Office (Sioux Center): (800) 242-5101
- Woodbury County Office (Sioux City): (800) 242-5101
- Seasons Center for Behavioral Health:
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- Siouxland Mental Health Center:
- Serving Woodbury County
- Main Number: (712) 252-3871
- Toll-Free Number: (877) 4WE-CARE
- Daytime Crisis Line: (712) 252-3871
- Siouxland Crisis Center (Sioux City): (712) 560-7996
- Adult Outpatient Office Locations:
- Main Office (Sioux City): (712) 252-3871
- Friendship House (Sioux City): (712) 255-4209
- Integrated Health Home (Sioux City): (712) 202-0173
- Community Support Services (Sioux City): (712) 202-0173
- Moville Satellite Office (Moville): (712) 252-3871
- Siouxland Mental Health Center:
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- Berryhill Center:
- Serving Buena Vista, Calhoun, Franklin, Hamilton, Humboldt, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, and Wright Counties
- Main Number: (515) 955-7171
- Toll-Free Number: (800) 482-8305
- Crisis Line: (855) 581-8111 or 988
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Main Office (Fort Dodge): (515) 955-7171
- Sac County Office (Sac City): (515) 955-7171
- Humboldt County Office (Humboldt): (515) 955-7171
- Pocahontas County Office (Pocahontas): (515) 955-7171
- Buena Vista County Office (Storm Lake): (515) 955-7171
- Berryhill Center:
Central Iowa Clinics and Crisis Lines
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Regional Mental Health Authorities:
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- Central Iowa Community Services
- Serving Boone, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Poweshiek, Story, Warren, Webster, and Wright Counties
- Main Number: (515) 513-6870
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Local Offices in Each County: Use Main Number
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Serving Boone, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Poweshiek, Story, Warren, Webster, and Wright Counties
- Central Iowa Community Services
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- Heart of Iowa Community Services
- Serving Audubon, Dallas, and Guthrie Counties
- Main Number: (515) 993-5869
- Toll-Free Number: (877) 286-3227
- Mobile Crisis Services: (844) 428-3878
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Dallas County Office (Adel): (515) 993-5869
- Audubon County Office (Audubon): (515) 468-9725
- Guthrie County Office (Guthrie Center): (515) 468-9725
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- Serving Audubon, Dallas, and Guthrie Counties
- Heart of Iowa Community Services
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- Polk County Behavioral Health and Disability Services
- Serving Polk County
- Main Number: (515) 286-3570
- Main Office (Des Moines): (515) 286-3570
- Resource and Referral Line: (515) 288-0818
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance: Call (515) 288-0818
- Serving Polk County
- Polk County Behavioral Health and Disability Services
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Community Mental Health Centers:
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- Berryhill Center:
- Serving Buena Vista, Calhoun, Franklin, Hamilton, Humboldt, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, and Wright Counties
- Main Number: (515) 955-7171
- Toll-Free Number: (800) 482-8305
- Crisis Line: (855) 581-8111 or 988
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Main Office (Fort Dodge): (515) 955-7171
- Sac County Office (Sac City): (515) 955-7171
- Humboldt County Office (Humboldt): (515) 955-7171
- Pocahontas County Office (Pocahontas): (515) 955-7171
- Buena Vista County Office (Storm Lake): (515) 955-7171
- Berryhill Center:
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- Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare:
- Serving Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, and Worth Counties
- Main Number: (866) 429-2391
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Main Office (Mason City): (641) 424-2391
- Forest City Outreach Office: (641) 585-2060
- Algona Outreach Office: (515) 295-5158
- Charles City Outreach Office: (641) 228-1477
- Hampton Outreach Office: (641) 456-2365
- Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare:
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- Eyerly Ball Mental Health:
- Serving Boone, Dallas, Greene, Madison, Polk, Story, and Warren Counties
- Main Number: (515) 241-0982
- After-Hours Crisis Line: (515) 564-5742
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Polk County Office (Des Moines): (515) 241-0982
- Warren County Office (Indianola): (515) 241-0982
- Story County Office (Ames): (515) 598-3300
- Eyerly Ball Mental Health:
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- Broadlawns Medical Center Mental Health Services:
- Serving Polk and Warren Counties
- Crisis Team (Des Moines): (515) 282-5752
- Crisis Observation Center (Des Moines): (515) 282-5742
- Behavioral Health Urgent Care (Des Moines): (515) 282-5742
- Outpatient Mental Health Services (Des Moines): (515) 282-5695
- Integrated Health Home (Des Moines): (515) 282-6770
- Broadlawns Medical Center Mental Health Services:
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- Capstone Behavioral Healthcare:
- Serving Jasper, Marion, and Poweshiek Counties
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Newton Office: (641) 792-4012
- Grinnell Office: (641) 528-6065
- Capstone Behavioral Healthcare:
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- Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services
- Serving Audubon, Cass, Greene, and Guthrie Counties
- Main Number: (712) 243-5091
- Crisis Line: (712) 243-2606
- Harbor Point Crisis Stabilization Facility (Clarinda): (712) 850-1389
- Outpatient On-Call (Cass, Audubon, and Guthrie Counties): (712) 249-0712
- Outpatient Mental Health Locations:
- Cass County Office (Atlantic): (712) 243-5091
- Greene County Services (Telehealth Only): (712) 249-0712
- Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services
East and Southeast Iowa Clinics and Crisis Lines
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Regional Mental Health Authorities:
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- County Social Services
- Serving Allamakee, Black Hawk, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Grundy, Howard, Mitchell, Tama, and Winneshiek Counties
- North Service Area Supervisor: (641) 251-1381
- South Service Area Supervisor: (641) 251-1703
- Adult Services Coordinator: (319) 939-6472
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- Local County Social Services Mental Health Offices:
- Allamakee County Office (Waukon): (563) 568-6227
- Black Hawk County Office (Waterloo): (319) 291-2624
- Butler County Office (Allison): (319) 267-2663
- Chickasaw County Office (New Hampton): (641) 525-0120
- Clayton County Office (Elkader): (563) 412-0521
- Fayette County Office (West Union): (563) 412-0521
- Floyd County Office (Charles City): (641) 257-6363
- Grundy County Office (Grundy Center): (319) 824-6779
- Howard County Office (Cresco): (563) 547-9292
- Mitchell County Office (Osage): (641) 832-2615 x30
- Tama County Office (Toledo): (319) 291-2624
- Winneshiek County Office (Decorah): (563) 277-5395
- Serving Allamakee, Black Hawk, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Grundy, Howard, Mitchell, Tama, and Winneshiek Counties
- County Social Services
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- Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region
- Serving Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, and Linn Counties
- Main Number: (319) 892-5671
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- County Community Service and Mental Health Offices:
- Benton County Social Services (Vinton): (319) 472-4743
- Bremer County Mental Health (Waverly): (319) 352-2993
- Buchanan County Community Services (Independence): (319) 334-7450
- Delaware County Community Services (Manchester): (563) 927-5116
- Dubuque County Mental Health (Dubuque): (563) 589-7870
- Iowa County Mental Health (Conroy): (319) 662-4245
- Johnson County Mental Health (Iowa City): (319) 339-6169
- Jones County Community Services (Anamosa): (319) 462-4457
- Linn County Mental Health Access Center (Cedar Rapids): (319) 892-5612
- Serving Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, and Linn Counties
- Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region
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- Eastern Iowa MHDS Region:
- Serving Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine, and Scott Counties
- Regional Crisis Line: (844) 430-0375
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- County Community Service and Mental Health Offices:
- Cedar County Community Services (Tipton): (563) 886-1726
- Clinton County Community Supports (Clinton): (563) 244-0563
- Jackson County Mental Health Department (Maquoketa): (563) 652-1743
- Muscatine County Community Services (Muscatine): (563) 263-7512
- Scott County Community Services (Davenport): (563) 326-8723
- Serving Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine, and Scott Counties
- Eastern Iowa MHDS Region:
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- Mental Health Agency of Southeast Iowa:
- Serving Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington Counties
- Main Number and Office (Sigourney): (641) 622-2383
- Regional Crisis Hotline: (844) 430-8520
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- Local Access (Community Service and Mental Health) Offices:
- Appanoose County Behavioral Health (Centerville): (641) 856-2085
- Davis County Community Services (Bloomfield): (641) 664-1993
- Des Moines County Mental Health (Burlington): (319) 754-8556
- Henry County Mental Health (Mount Pleasant): (319) 385-4050
- Jefferson County Mental Health (Fairfield): (641) 472-8637
- Lee County Community Services (Keokuk): (319) 524-1052
- Louisa County Community Services (Wapello): (319) 523-5125
- Mahaska County Community Services (Oskaloosa): (641) 673-0410
- Monroe County Mental Health Services (Albia): (641) 932-2427
- Van Buren County Community Services (Keosauqua): (641) 472-8637
- Wapello County Behavioral Health (Ottumwa): (641) 683-4576
- Washington County Mental Health (Washington): (319) 653-7751
- Serving Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington Counties
- Mental Health Agency of Southeast Iowa:
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Community Mental Health Centers:
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- Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare:
- Serving Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, and Worth Counties
- Main Number: (866) 429-2391
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Main Office (Mason City): (641) 424-2391
- Forest City Outreach Office: (641) 585-2060
- Algona Outreach Office: (515) 295-5158
- Charles City Outreach Office: (641) 228-1477
- Hampton Outreach Office: (641) 456-2365
- Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare:
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- Pathways Behavioral Services:
- Serving Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, and Chickasaw Counties
- Main Number: (319) 235-6571
- Mental Health Center: (319) 352-2064
- Outpatient Mental Health Office Locations:
- Black Hawk County Office (Waterloo): (319) 235-6571
- Bremer County Office (Waverly): (319) 352-2064
- Buchanan County Office (Independence): (319) 334-6163
- Butler County Office (Allison): (319) 267-2629
- Chickasaw County Office (Fredericksburg): (563) 237-5300
- Pathways Behavioral Services:
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- Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health:
- Serving Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties
- Main Number: (563) 382-3649
- Toll-Free Line: (800) 400-8923
- Crisis Line: (800) 400-8923
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Main Office (Decorah): (563) 382-3649
- Branch Office (Oelwein): (319) 283-5774
- Allamakee County Office (Waukon): (563) 386-3649
- Clayton County Office (Elkader): (563) 382-3649
- Fayette County Office (West Union): (563) 382-3649
- Howard County Office (Cresco): (563) 382-3649
- Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health:
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- Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center
- Serving Black Hawk and Grundy Counties
- Main Number: (319) 234-2893
- Toll-Free Number: (800) 583-1526
- Main Office (Waterloo): (319) 234-2893
- Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center
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- Center Associates:
- Serving Hardin, Marshall, and Tama Counties
- Main Number: (641) 752-1585
- Toll-Free Number: (800) 896-2055
- After-Hours Crisis Line: (641) 752-8467
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Marshalltown Office: (641) 752-1585
- Toledo Office: (641) 484-5234
- Center Associates:
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- Abbe Center for Community Mental Health:
- Serving Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, and Linn Counties
- Main Number: (319) 398-3562
- 24-Hour Crisis Line: (319) 398-3562
- 24-Hour Warm Line: (844) 775-9276
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Main Location (Cedar Rapids): (319) 398-3562
- Anamosa Location: (319) 398-3562
- Hiawatha Location: (319) 369-7952
- Independence Location: (319) 334-4010
- Iowa City Location: (319) 338-7884
- Manchester Location: (563) 927-6700
- Vinton Location: (319) 472-5226
- Abbe Center for Community Mental Health:
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- Hillcrest Mental Health Center:
- Serving Dubuque, Henry, Jackson, Louisa, and Washington Counties
- Main Number: (563) 583-7357
- Toll-Free Number: (877) 437-6333
- 24-Hour Crisis Line: (855) 800-1239
- Counseling Office Locations:
- Dubuque County Office (Dubuque): (563) 582-0145
- Henry County Office (Mount Pleasant): (319) 385-7177
- Jackson County Office (Maquoketa): (563) 652-4958
- Louisa County Office (Wapello): (319) 527-4455
- Washington County Office (Washington): (319) 653-6161
- Hillcrest Mental Health Center:
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- Bridgeview Community Mental Health Center:
- Serving Clinton County
- Main Number: (563) 243-5633
- Main Office Location (Clinton): (563) 243-5633
- Bridgeview Community Mental Health Center:
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- Vera French Community Mental Health Center:
- Serving Scott County
- Main Number: (563) 383-1900
- Main Counseling Office (Davenport): (563) 383-1900
- Crisis Stabilization Center (Davenport): (563) 396-3017
- Vera French Community Mental Health Center:
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- Optimae Life Services:
- Serving Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Van Buren, and Wapello Counties
- Main Number: (641) 472-5771
- After-Hours Crisis Line: (319) 739-5344
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Bloomfield Office: (641) 472-5771
- Burlington Office: (319) 237-1732
- Centerville Office: (641) 472-5771
- Fairfield Office: (641) 472-5771
- Fort Madison Office: (319) 372-3566
- Keokuk Office: (319) 524-5106
- Keosauqua Office: (641) 472-5771
- Mount Pleasant Office: (319) 385-8051
- Ottumwa Office: (641) 682-4804
- Optimae Life Services:
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- Southern Iowa Mental Health Center:
- Serving Davis, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren, and Wapello Counties
- Main Number: (641) 682-8772
- 24-Hour Crisis Line: (844) 430-8520
- Main Office Location (Ottumwa): (641) 682-8772
- Crisis Stabilization Unit (Ottumwa): (844) 430-8520
- Outpatient Mental Health Office Locations:
- Ottumwa Office: (641) 682-8772
- Oskaloosa Office: (641) 672-3159
- Southern Iowa Mental Health Center:
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- Infinity Health Behavioral Health Services:
- Serving Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion, Monroe, Ringgold, and Wayne Counties
- Main Number: (641) 446-2383
- After-Hours Crisis Line: (800) 708-5129
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Albia Office: (641) 932-2065
- Centerville Office: (641) 856-6471
- Chariton Office: (641) 774-8484
- Corydon Office: (641) 872-1750
- Knoxville Office: (641) 828-6208
- Lamoni Office: (641) 784-7911
- Leon Office: (641) 446-2383
- Mount Ayr Office: (641) 321-3020
- Osceola Office: (641) 342-9000
- Infinity Health Behavioral Health Services:
South and Southwest Iowa Clinics and Crisis Lines
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Regional Mental Health Authorities:
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- Southwest Iowa MHDS Region
- Serving Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby Counties
- Main Number: (712) 328-5645
- Regional Crisis Line: (531) 301-1029
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- Southwest Iowa MHDS Offices and County Access Points:
- Council Bluffs Office: (712) 328-5645
- Red Oaks Office: (712) 623-6541
- Harlan Office: (844) 934-4222
- Atlantic Office: (712) 243-4424
- Serving Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby Counties
- Southwest Iowa MHDS Region
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- County Rural Offices of Social Services:
- Serving Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion, Ringgold, and Wayne Counties
- Main Number: (641) 828-2238 x3868
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Regional Mobile Crisis Line: (844) 421-3878
- Apply for Mental Health Funding Assistance
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- County CROSS or Community Services Offices:
- Clarke County Office (Osceola): (641) 414-2968
- Decatur County Office (Leon): (641) 446-7178
- Lucas County Office (Chariton): (641) 744-0423 x2
- Marion County Office (Knoxville): (641) 205-3868
- Ringgold County Office (Mount Ayr): (641) 464-0691
- Wayne County Office (Corydon): (641) 872-1301
- Serving Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion, Ringgold, and Wayne Counties
- County Rural Offices of Social Services:
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- Southern Hills Regional Mental Health
- Serving Adair, Adams, Taylor, and Union Counties
- Main Number: (712) 525-1337
- Alternate Number: (641) 344-2250
- Main Office (Glenwood): (712) 525-1337
- Alternate Office (Prescott): (641) 344-2250
- Statewide Crisis Hotline: (855) 581-8111
- Explore the Regional Provider Network
- Serving Adair, Adams, Taylor, and Union Counties
- Southern Hills Regional Mental Health
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Community Mental Health Centers:
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- CHI Health Psychiatric Associates:
- Serving Harrison, Mills, and Pottawattamie Counties
- Behavioral Health Information and Referral Line: (402) 717-4673
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- CHI Health Mercy Hospital (Council Bluffs): (712) 328-5000
- CHI Health Clinic Psychiatric Associates (Council Bluffs): (712) 328-2609
- CHI Health Clinic Psychiatric Associates (Missouri Valley): (712) 642-2045
- CHI Health Psychiatric Associates:
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- Myrtue Medical Center Behavioral Health Services:
- Serving Shelby County
- Main Number: (712) 755-5056
- Secondary Number: (712) 755-5161
- Main Office Location (Harlan): (712) 755-5056
- Myrtue Medical Center Behavioral Health Services:
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- Waubonsie Mental Health Center:
- Serving Fremont, Montgomery, and Page Counties
- Main Number: (712) 542-2388
- After-Hours Crisis Line: (712) 303-7066
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Clarinda Office: (712) 542-2388
- Shenandoah Office: (712) 581-7900
- Red Oak Office: (712) 581-7900
- Waubonsie Mental Health Center:
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- Crossroads Behavioral Health Services:
- Serving Adair, Adams, Clarke, Madison, Taylor, and Union Counties
- Main Number: (641) 342-4888
- After-Hours Crisis Line: (515) 705-2382
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Creston Office: (641) 782-8457
- Osceola Office: (641) 342-4888
- Winterset Office: (515) 462-3105
- Crossroads Behavioral Health Services:
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- Infinity Health Behavioral Health Services:
- Serving Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion, Monroe, Ringgold, and Wayne Counties
- Main Number: (641) 446-2383
- After-Hours Crisis Line: (800) 708-5129
- Outpatient Office Locations:
- Albia Office: (641) 932-2065
- Centerville Office: (641) 856-6471
- Chariton Office: (641) 774-8484
- Corydon Office: (641) 872-1750
- Knoxville Office: (641) 828-6208
- Lamoni Office: (641) 784-7911
- Leon Office: (641) 446-2383
- Mount Ayr Office: (641) 321-3020
- Osceola Office: (641) 342-9000
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If you need information after hours or aren’t sure whether you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s okay to call a state or local crisis line for help. The staff who answer are trained to quickly figure out what you need and can tell you what steps you need to take to connect with the right services.
In addition to calling the statewide crisis line, you can also go to the Your Life Iowa website to connect with someone for crisis support or information via live chat or to browse their provider listings.
Also Consider: Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are another great way to get affordable publicly-funded mental health services in Iowa.
These federally-funded programs provide cutting-edge care in places where good primary healthcare was once hard to find. Most provide integrated care so you can get primary medical and mental health services at the same location. Each FQHC accepts Medicaid and Medicare and offers low sliding-scale fees if you don’t have insurance.
You can search for FQHCs near you by using the online search tool on the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration website.
Troubleshooting Guide
The state mental health system is complicated and can be confusing to navigate. If you’re having any issues, we’re here to help. Here are some of our solutions to common problems you might experience.
Problems and Solutions
1. You can’t get through to someone on the phone.
Except in extremely rare circumstances, someone should answer a state or local crisis line any time you call. But if you’re not in crisis, the person you talked to gave you another number to call, and you’re having a hard time getting through, you can try going to a walk-in clinic instead.
Many community mental health centers in Iowa run walk-in centers where you can be seen during regular business hours on Monday through Friday. Some let you walk in and wait without an appointment. You can often be seen the same day. If the wait is long or they don’t have availability, you can schedule an appointment and come back.
We recommend checking your CMHC’s website for walk-in locations and hours.
2. There’s a long waiting list.
State-funded services are often in high demand. Iowa is working to shorten waiting times and make sure you can get seen for essential services right away. However, if you’re not in crisis, you may still have to wait before you can be seen by a therapist or other mental health provider.
Sometimes, it’s worth it to wait if you’ve found a good therapist or service. You can read our article on what to do before your first therapy session for tips on how to maintain your mental health while you wait.
If your symptoms are getting worse and you’re worried you can’t wait, you should call a crisis line. The caring people who answer can help you figure out if you need help right away and tell you where and how to get the level of care you need.
If you’re not in crisis but don’t want to wait, you can call a state or local mental health hotline, an intake worker, the main number, or your contact person at the agency to ask if there are other options. There may be another affordable local program they could tell you about that could meet your needs but has a shorter waiting list.
3. You’re not eligible for state-funded services.
If you’re not eligible for services at your local CMHC, you’re not eligible for the service you want, or your local CMHC doesn’t offer that service, the people who work there should still be able to help you.
Intake workers usually keep lists of affordable local mental health resources for people who aren’t eligible or would prefer to go somewhere else. Ask for information, a printed resource list, or even a direct referral to another provider.
4. The state system doesn’t offer the service you want.
State mental health programs sometimes have to change or limit the services they offer based on their current funding. If you’re admitted to a community mental health center but it doesn’t offer the service you need, you have two options.
One is to try an alternative service that they do offer. The other is to ask if they can recommend an affordable alternative provider who does offer that service.
If they do offer the service you want, but it’s limited, stand up for yourself if they try to get you to do something else. Don’t accept getting pushed into something you don’t want just because it’s easier for them or because they can get you in faster.
If you’re willing and able to wait, tell them you would prefer to wait for the service you want, whether that’s therapy, medication, or something else.
5. You don’t like your therapist.
You should never accept bad therapy—or bad mental healthcare of any kind—for any reason. This is just as true in the public system as it is anywhere else. If you have a bad therapist, ask for a new one. Tell your main contact person at the agency, an intake worker, or a manager that you want to try a different therapist.
If you’re not sure whether you have a bad therapist, you can read our articles on how to spot an unethical therapist and how to do a background check on a therapist. If you don’t like your therapist but wonder if it the problem might be fixable, you can read our articles, “What If I Don’t Like My Therapist?” and “How to Fix Problems with Your Therapist.”
If you don’t like the first therapist you’re assigned, ask someone at the agency if they have a webpage or list of therapists you can review. You can read their bios and see if you think one might be a better match. Not all agencies do this, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. You can read our article on how to choose a therapist for information on what to look for.
If you’ve run into a problem that we haven’t addressed, don’t give up. Call someone at the program (or a state or local mental health hotline) and tell them what’s going on.
You’re much more likely to get the help you need when you advocate for yourself and are persistent. Tell the person you talk to what you need or what problem you’re having.
If they don’t help the first time, call them back and tell them. If you keep calling and keep calm and focused, you should eventually get through to someone who can help you.
Deep Dive: How Does the System Work?
To understand Iowa’s mental health system, it helps to understand how it started and how it’s changed since then.
Public mental health services have been around for a surprisingly long time. But for over a hundred years in America, the only way to get them was in a psychiatric hospital.
In the 1960s, Americans started thinking differently about mental health care. Conditions in psychiatric hospitals were getting worse and new medications made it possible to provide mental health treatment on an outpatient basis.
In response, new laws were passed that required state and local governments to establish community mental health programs as alternatives to institutionalization for people with serious mental illness. The most important was the Community Mental Health Act, which President John F. Kennedy signed into law in 1963.
DEEP DIVE
For More Information
To learn more about what the public mental health system was like in the early days—and how psychiatric inpatient care has evolved since then—you can read our article “Do Insane Asylums Still Exist? The Surprising Past and Present.”
To learn more about what inpatient mental health treatment is like now, and the differences between how it works in general hospitals and specialized psychiatric facilities, you can read our article “How Inpatient Mental Health Treatment Works.”
Many state mental health programs trace their origins back to the 1960s when these important changes started to happen. Iowa is no exception.
Many of Iowa’s community mental health centers were founded in the 1960s and 1970s using funds from the federal Community Mental Health Act. Many continue to serve their communities to this day.
However, while Iowa has a long history of providing community-based mental health services through CMHCs, it lagged behind other states in building a unified public mental health system.
For decades, Iowa left it to each county to fund and define the rules and eligibility criteria for public mental health services in that county. This led to significant disparities in funding and access to care across the state. Iowa did not start building a statewide mental health crisis system until 2008 and did not establish its current regional mental health system until 2012.
DEEP DIVE
What Is the Structure of the Iowa Mental Health System?
Public outpatient mental health services in Iowa are managed on the state level by the Mental and Behavioral Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The state mental health department oversees the state’s 13 regional behavioral health authorities, which were established by the state mental health redesign law in 2012. Each regional authority oversees their region’s mental health provider network and helps people apply for mental health funding assistance.
Regional behavioral health authorities don’t provide mental health services directly. Instead, services are provided by independent community mental health centers and other local agencies that have been approved by the behavioral health authority to deliver publicly-funded mental health care.
The Iowa mental health system continues to evolve. The transition Iowa began in 2012 is ongoing and new laws continue to be passed to improve funding and service coordination across the state.
Serious adult mental health reform laws were signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds in 2018 and were followed by reforms for the children’s mental health system the next year. This update focused on expanding access to both mobile and facility-based crisis services.
More improvements are needed. After closing two of its four psychiatric hospitals as part of the 2012 mental health system redesign, Iowa now has the lowest per-capita number of inpatient psychiatric beds of any state, and community-based mental health services have struggled to keep up with the increase in demand.
Iowa officials are proposing to redesign the service regions again to streamline the system and make it more effective. In the meantime, Iowa has already begun to expand essential mental health services, especially those designed to help during a mental health crisis. It is adding new mobile crisis teams and expanding mobile crisis services to more counties. It also launched the statewide 988 crisis hotline in 2022.
You can use these new state services to get the help you need. If you’re in crisis or need mental health care and aren’t sure what to do, you can start by calling 988 or (855) 581-8111—the people who answer know how the system works and will help you get where you need to go.
Conclusion
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, only 53 percent of people in Iowa who have mental health conditions get treatment for them. Many of them qualify for public mental health services but don’t know about them.
You can make a difference by reaching out and connecting with local mental health resources to get the care you need. If you’re not sure whether you qualify for Iowa state mental health services, call a community mental health center or a state or regional mental health hotline. You may find out you can get mental health services at a state-funded program or that there’s another affordable option nearby.
The most important thing is to get started—the help you need may be only a call or click away.
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