Where can I find mental health support? In the middle of a pandemic, now this...
The Iowa Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team (DBHRT) is a trained team of volunteers who will respond to the mental health needs of Iowa residents following disasters and critical incidents. The team provides services for community providers based on local area needs and may be delivered at a disaster site in an affected community or statewide. Services may include:
- Conduct behavioral health needs assessment following a disaster
- Provide Psychological First Aid
- Provide brief crisis counseling and intervention
- Provide community outreach
- Provide public information and education
- Provide critical incident stress debriefing
- Provide behavioral health consultation for providers, communities and individuals
- Provide screening and referral for those affected by a disaster or critical event
Local authorities may request DBHRT assistance in order to meet the behavioral health needs of communities in crisis by contacting the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Duty Officer. The duty officer is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 515-725-3231. For more information go to www.iowadbhrt.org.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are concerned about someone who is in mental health crisis, contact Your Life Iowa by calling (855) 581-8111 or text (855) 895-8398.
If you are in Linn County, Foundation 2 is offering crisis counseling services as well. Call them at (319) 362-2174 for food, water, legal assistance and mental health support. Find crisis counseling locations at:
- Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Northwest Recreation Center parking lot, 1340 11th St NW, Cedar Rapids, IA
- St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
- The ROC Center at 1202 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Taylor Elementary School, 720 7th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Covenant Family Solutions is also offering free, 30-minute counseling sessions. Call them at (319) 261-2292.
If you don't want to talk with someone but do feel like texting, you can also text HOME to 741741.
If you are not in mental health crisis but just want someone to talk to, the Iowa Warm Line is also an option. The warm line is a peer run, telephone based, non-crisis, confidential, listening line for anyone struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. The Warm Line is staffed by people who have been through a similar journey and are in recovery themselves. Call toll free at (844) 775-9276 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. if you live in Benton, Bremer, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, or Linn county.
If you are looking for Spanish speaking mental health counseling services, find a list of providers here.
Editor's Note: These shelters are now closed.
Daytime Medical Shelters:
Linn County has opened weekday medical shelters for residents who need a day shelter or to charge medical equipment. Medical supplies such as oxygen and insulin are not available; residents are advised to get more supplies form their providers.Anderson Public Library - Center Point Community Room
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: 720 Main St Center Point, IA 52213
Special Instructions: Social distancing – only outlets with red-covered plates have power
City of Hiawatha Community Center
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Address: 101 Emmons St Hiawatha, IA 52233
City of Palo Community Center -
Closed as of Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: 2800 Hollenbeck Rd Palo, IA 52324
City of Robins Community Center
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: 265 S. 2nd Street Robins, IA 52328
City of Springville City Hall
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: 304 Broadway Street Springville, IA 52336
Coggon Old Fire Station
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: 112 2nd St South Coggon, Iowa 52218
Special Instructions: No Air Conditioning
Overnight shelters:
Linn County and the American Red Cross have opened an overnight congregate shelter at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, with doors opening Friday August 14 at 8 p.m. Red Cross volunteers will be on hand to assist, and social distancing protocols have been put in place.
Linn County / Red Cross Shelter
Address: Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Avenue Bridge Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
