Behavioral & Mental Health
Where to Start
A great place to start seeking mental health care is with your primary care doctor. They can refer you to one of our mental health professionals who specialize in the type of care you need. Beginning with your primary care doctor is sometimes the most affordable option, too. Find a physician near you by selecting one of the options below. Already have a provider? Visit the MyUnityPoint patient portal to send a message or schedule an appointment.
If you're experiencing a crisis and thinking about suicide, or are worried about a loved one, call 988 to be connected with a National Suicide Lifeline counselor. If the situation requires immediate medical attention (e.g., intentional overdose, self-harm injuries requiring medical attention), please continue to call 911.
Additionally, The Iowa Warm Line is a peer-run, telephone based, non-crisis and confidential listening line for anyone struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. The Warm Line is staffed by individuals who have been through a similar journey and are in recovery themselves The phone number to call is 1-844-775-9276. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Common Reasons to Seek Help
It's completely normal to feel down sometimes. But when these feelings become persistent, unmanageable or are accompanied by physical changes, it may be time to talk with someone who can help. We're here for you. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, another mental health condition or just need someone to talk to. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and mental health conditions can include:
- Physical changes such as nausea, upset stomach or body aches
- Social changes or withdrawal from family or friends
- Excessive worry or fear
- Feeling sad, lonely or isolated
- Extreme mood changes
- Often feeling irritable or angry
- Changes in sleeping habits such as trouble sleeping, fatigue or sleeping too much
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
- Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Having thoughts of harm to self or others
At UnityPoint Health, our team of experts is committed to providing comprehensive care every step of the way. We recognize exploring behavioral and mental health care is a big step. That's why we have programs for all ages, at varying levels of care, including inpatient, outpatient and walk-in clinics. Find a location near you to learn more.
Common Care Team Specialists
- Psychiatric Providers - Psychiatric providers are board-certified or board-qualified. The psychiatrist interviews and examines people to evaluate for the possibility of a medical cause for the psychiatric symptoms. Diagnostic tests or medical consultation may be ordered. The provider also selects and manages the appropriate treatment options for the patient, which may include antidepressant, antipsychotic, or mood stabilizing medication, electroconvulsive therapy, or psychotherapy.
- Behavioral health counselor - The role of the behavioral health counselor is to provide crisis/emergency screening and assessment services as well as home-based therapeutic services for children and families to stabilize the client family.
- Substance use counselor - The behavioral health counselor in the substance abuse treatment service provides educational and counseling services to substance use patients and their families. These services are provided on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) - The licensed clinical social worker assesses and treats mental disorders in the adult, elder adult and child populations. They also provide counseling and education for families and couples surrounding mental health issues. These services may be provided in group, family, or individualized session formats, and can be available on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
- Psychiatrist Nurses - The psychiatric nurse plays an important role in both outpatient and inpatient settings. In the outpatient setting, the psychiatric nurse responds to mental health emergencies and triages client care based on presenting problems and information. The psychiatric nurse also collaborates with the physicians regarding medication issues, provides medication education to clients, and assists the treatment team in selecting the appropriate treatment modality In the inpatient program, the psychiatric nurse manages the overall psychiatric and medical care of the patient, and assures follow-through of the treatment plan on all shifts.
Strong social connections during kids’ tween and teen years is an important part of healthy development and creating a sense of belonging. To complement existing resources available in our communities’ schools, we’re offering teachers and administrative professionals free, downloadable posters to help kids understand the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in themselves and others as well as how to navigate tricky conversations with peers when talking about mental health struggles.
- Helpful Tips for Teens When Talking to Friends about Mental Health
- Recognizing Signs of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Teens
Print and post on bathroom stalls or on bulletin boards as another way to show your students how much their mental health matters.
Our Hospital Inpatient Behavioral Health Units
We know each patient experience is unique and special. At UnityPoint Health, you have access to a full spectrum of behavioral health services and support to meet your every need. If you need inpatient behavioral health care, our entire care team works together to support you with respect and compassion. See inpatient behavioral health services offered at our hospitals below.