The University of Iowa is making strides in addressing mental health challenges among school-aged children by expanding its services through telemedicine. The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is leading the initiative, collaborating with schools and Area Education Agencies (AEAs) across Iowa to bring psychiatric care to K-12 students aged 10 and above, even in the most remote areas.
Dr. Amanda Elliott, a professor of psychiatry, emphasized the importance of early intervention, noting that signs of mental health issues such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety often manifest in elementary school. The new telemedicine service allows students to connect privately from their schools to therapists or psychiatrists located at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) in Iowa City.
Dr. Elliott explained how the system works: “A student has a private place in the school, usually in the office, where they log onto their session, and a psychiatrist from our office can provide care remotely.” This approach ensures that students from across the state, even those hundreds of miles away, have access to crucial mental health support.
The program is designed as a short-term transitions clinic. This means that while initial psychiatric services are provided remotely, the focus remains on connecting students to long-term care solutions within their local community when necessary. “This model helps keep the doors open for more and more patients, instead of having a fixed patient panel that limits access for new students,” Dr. Elliott said.
This initiative promises to make significant inroads in bridging the gap in mental health care for school-aged children, leveraging technology to overcome geographical challenges and providing timely, specialized support to Iowa’s youth.
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