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:

February Lunch & Learn: Navigating the Behavioral Health Care System in Iowa

February 17, 2026
If you or someone you care about is struggling, it can be hard to understand the best ways to find support.
Your Life Iowa, can connect you with a Behavioral Health System Navigator who can help you understand your options and guide you through the behavioral health system.

March Lunch & Learn:

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.

2026 Save the Date:

April 21 - Hannah Drey-Landgraf

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.

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

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.