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.

 
Events & Opportunities
Partner Organizations
Resources
 

Events & Opportunities

 

Lenten Reflections

 

LIVING WELL THROUGH LENT: CULTIVATING HEALING AND WHOLENESS IN HEART

Living Well Through Lent: Cultivating Healing and Wholeness in Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind

Join us for daily reflections as we follow along Living Well Through Lent by Living Compass this season.

 
 

Monthly Lunch & Learns

Minding the Gaps: Mental Health Care reform, lobbying for critical legislation and how to advocate for yourself and others

March 17, 2026

We’ll hear from Kali VanBaale about how she became so involved in mental healthcare reform in Iowa, learning how to lobby at the state capital for critical legislation, and how she expanded advocacy efforts into her writing with her Minding the Gaps column on the Substack platform through the Iowa Writers' Collaborative. 

Register Here
 
 

When Hope Feels Hard: Resurrection Encounters & the Practice of Emotional Regulation

April 21, 2026

“Peace be with you” are among the first words the risen Christ speaks — to frightened, hiding disciples. What might these Easter encounters reveal about anxiety, shame, avoidance, and emotional regulation? In this interactive workshop, we will read scripture with attention to the nervous system, trauma responses, and the psychology of fear. Together we will explore how the resurrection speaks to human distress and how we can embody hope in psychologically informed ways.

Hannah Landgraf is a temporarily licensed mental health counselor working in an inpatient behavioral health facility. She holds an M.Div. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

 

2026 Save the Dates:

  • May 19 - TBD

  • June 16 - JOPPA

  • July 21 - All About Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) with Rev. Bob Kem

  • August 18 - “Compassion for the Care Partner” A personal story of the needs of building a team approach to care for a family member with FTD with Rev. Bob Kem.

  • September 15 - Part One “Unexpected Journey “Finding strength, hope, and yourself, on the caregiving journey,” with Rev. Bob Kem.

  • October 20 - Part Two: “Unexpected Journey” Emma Willis. Lessons of care taken from her experience with Bruce Willis. Emma Willis book illustrates her experience as care partner for Bruce Willis with Aphasia FTD with Rev. Bob Kem.

  • November 17 - Dementia: “Teachings From the Experts Teepa Snow and other podcasts for basic caretakers,” with Rev. Bob Kem.

 

Partner 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

 

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, and 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

Meditation Video 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.

Full video series