The Behavioral Mental Heath Team works to identify, support, educate and develop parish ministry along with support groups for clergy throughout the diocese. We also provide educational opportunities for those around the diocese which may include training in depression, suicide assessment, mental health first aid, and resources for referral and treatment.

Monthly Lunch & Learn Sessions: 3rd Tuesdays

 

Upcoming Lunch & Learns:

January Lunch & Learn:
Genuinely Inclusive: How churches can be more neurodivergent friendly

December 20, 2026 from Noon-1pm

Rev. Joseph Yoo will share his experience parenting a child with autism and how that has shaped Mosaic Episcopal Church’s efforts to be more genuinely inclusive. He’ll talk about what has worked, where the blind spots showed up, and how anxiety, depression, and honest storytelling can help churches put people first. The goal isn’t a perfect model, just a real look at building a community where everyone belongs.

Register Here

2026 Save the Date:

February 17 -  Iowa PCA - Rebecca Bolton

March 17 - Kali VanBaale

April 21 - Hannah Drey-Landgraf

 

Previous:

OCTOBER LUNCH & LEARN: Nikoli Falenscheck

SEPTEMBER LUNCH & LEARN: Roxanne Petersen of NAMI Central Iowa

AUGUST LUNCH & LEARN: Rev. Eric Rucker

JULY LUNCH & LEARN: Dr. Kristen Meyers

MAY LUNCH & LEARN: Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund

MARCH LUNCH & LEARN: Rage Prayers, with Rev. Elizabeth Riley

FEBRUARY LUNCH & LEARN: Suicide Prevention

JANUARY LUNCH & LEARN: Ask Me Anything about Living with a Mental Illness

DECEMBER LUNCH & LEARN: Mental Health First Aid & Blue Christmas Services

NOVEMBER LUNCH & LEARN: Spiritual Direction

 

Blue Christmas Services:

What is a Blue Christmas Service? At a time of year when so many experience feelings of grief, loss, and hardship, a Blue Christmas Service invites us into hope and healing through prayer, music, and reflection.

First Presbyterian Church of Davenport

Washington National Cathedral, DC

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Charles City

Grace United Methodist Church, Des Moines

Marion Christian Church

First United Methodist Church, Ames 

  • December 21at 5pm - Blue Christmas Service

St. John’s by the Campus, Ames

First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Oskaloosa

 

Meditation Series from Katy Lee & Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids

This series of videos is designed to help you relax, recharge, and focus on self care in the midst of a chaotic world.” These practices do not need to be viewed in any particular order and you are encouraged to try these techniques on a regular basis.

 

Mental Heath Funds Request Form

The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, through a GILEAD Grant, has limited funds to assist with co-payments for mental health related appointments. You may request incremental funds for up to $50 per appointment. A completed request form is required for each appointment. You must submit a receipt for reimbursement or have a bill sent to the Diocesan office. Funds will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Mental Health Funds Request Form
 
 

Local Organizations

 

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) of Central Iowa’s goal is to inspire better lives for Central Iowans affected by mental illness. They work to achieve this goal through support programs, educational outreach, and advocacy on local, state and national levels.

Mind & Spirit Counseling Center offers high-quality mental health services to people from all walks of life, including those who are uninsured, underinsured or from low-income households.

Mindspring Mental Health Alliance provides no-cost mental health education, support, and advocacy programs. All of Mindspring’s programs feature evidence-based curriculum and are available to all community members.

 
 

Resources