Southern Iowa Mental Health Center

08/05/2025

Last Saturday, staff at SIMHC had the joy of being part of the Back 2 School Bash at the Ottumwa High School, a truly special event that brought together organizations and the community with one shared goal: to lift up students and their families as they head into a new school year.

Backpacks 🎒 full of supplies 📚✂️were handed out, and tables overflowed with local resources offering everything from mental health support to family services and educational tools.

It was heartwarming to see parents breathe a little easier and kids light up knowing they’re not facing the coming year alone. The atmosphere was full of energy, hope, and genuine caring- proof of what can happen when a community shows up for one another.

Southern Iowa Mental Health Center was proud to stand alongside so many others working to make sure every student feels supported, encouraged, and ready for whatever comes next.

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08/05/2025

This past week, SIMHC had the privilege of attending the Pit Stop Resource Event hosted by Whatsoever You Do, Inc., where local organizations came together to support those in our community experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

It was one of those days where kindness filled every corner of the Jimmy Jones Shelter here in Ottumwa-meals were served, haircuts and showers were offered, and most importantly, people were seen and cared for.

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08/02/2025

SIMHC is excited to be a part of the Ottumwa Community School District’s “Family Fest” this morning. ❤️🐾🤍🎈

Open to all families in Wapello County! Come get school 🏫 supplies 📚✂️✏️, sign up for bus 🚌 transportation and learn about other community resources.

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07/31/2025

Yesterday we were happy to be able to partner with the Centerville area mental health coalition, on their work to help homeless in the community.

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07/23/2025

Reminder!

SIMHC is hosting a Blood Drive today, July 23rd from Noon - 2pm.
Walk ins are welcome!

Summertime is a slow time for blood donations!
If you can, please consider giving back in this way.

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07/03/2025

Thank you Hospice Serving Davis and Wapello County for partnering with us at SIMHC!

We appreciate you!

Sharing services is so important to us at Hospice Serving Davis and Wapello Counties. We specialize in all things Hospice but we know we can’t do it all.

Thankful, we don’t have to because of all the fantastic community action programs and partners in Ottumwa, Iowa and Davis County, Iowa!

Our friends at Southern Iowa Mental Health Center stopped by with a list of their offerings:
💚psychiatry
💜therapy
💚substance abuse counseling
💜peer support services
💚crisis support services
💜peer run drop in center
💚assertive community treatment team
💜sub acute for mental health
✨NEW Certified Community Behavioral Health Care Coordination Services✨

To schedule or learn more from the experts, contact their friendly team at 641-682-8772 (available 24/7).

07/03/2025

Reminder!
The outpatient clinic at SIMHC is closed on Friday, July 4th.

Reminder!
Crisis Services remain available 365 days a year. Reach out when needed! Any day, any time!

Stay Safe! Happy 4th!
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06/18/2025

SIMHC is happy to be a part of this event hosted by the Des Moines Business Record. Register today and join us tomorrow for a great conversation regarding women's healthcare.

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Don't forget to register for our Fearless Focus virtual event tomorrow!

Join us to discuss solutions to women's health care challenges in Iowa.

Panelists:
Dr. Wanakee Carr, obstetrician-gynecologist, The Iowa Clinic
Tara Geddes, chief nursing officer, Floyd Valley Healthcare
Nichole Nidey, assistant professor - Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa College of Public Health
Christina Schark, executive director, Southern Iowa Mental Health Center

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fearless-focus-womens-health-care-tickets-1374829334549?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/18/2025

We're pleased to be able to partner with the Oskaloosa Police Department more in the future! SIMHC is thankful for all of our police departments and thankful for all they do to help our communities stay safe! 💚💚

06/06/2025

We are hiring!

Tell your friends! Tell your neighbors!
Apply today or reach out with questions.

See email contact below!

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05/29/2025

We are happy to be participating in this event! Our staff works hard for all patients to find high quality mental health care they are happy and satisfied with! Happy to be advocating for women in this way! Register and tune in next week!!! 💚🤍💚🤍

Join us Thursday, June 19, from 12-1 p.m. for our next Fearless Focus virtual event!

Women have long faced disparities in receiving adequate health care, and conditions that predominantly affect women have fewer studies dedicated to them. For instance, women who visited emergency departments with chest pain waited 29% longer than men to be evaluated for possible heart attacks, the Journal of the American Heart Association reported in 2022. Only 1% of health care research and innovation was invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology, according to 2020 data published by the McKinsey Health Institute.

Iowa ranks last among all 50 states with the fewest obstetrics doctors per capita, according to the Cicero Institute. In 2024 the state implemented one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country. Women of color face heightened health disparities compared to white women.

The good news? Several health care leaders have devoted their careers to tackling these issues. In this discussion experts from across the state will share what these trends mean for women’s health care in Iowa, and they will highlight solutions they’re working to implement.

Panelists:
Dr. Wanakee Carr, obstetrician-gynecologist, The Iowa Clinic
Tara Geddes, chief nursing officer, Floyd Valley Healthcare
Nichole Nidey, assistant professor - Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa College of Public Health
Christina Schark, executive director, Southern Iowa Mental Health Center

Register for the event today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fearless-focus-womens-health-care-tickets-1374829334549?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/06/2025

This is one of the most common myths about su***de.

If you’re worried about someone, ask the question directly! Reach out and check on your person. People who are truly suicidal are begging for someone else to mention it first. Asking the person directly, actually helps them feel at ease.

Reach out if you need help. Available 24 hours a day.

641-682-8772

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