May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage open conversations about an issue affecting communities across the country, including Belmond.
Local providers and educators say awareness is especially important in rural areas, where access to care and stigma can still prevent people from seeking help.
Rachel Fletcher, a mental health social worker with Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics, has worked in the field for nearly 17 years. She said the most common concerns she sees in the Belmond and Clarion areas are depression, anxiety and trauma.
Despite growing awareness, access to care remains a challenge in rural communities.
“That's a huge barrier, not having enough providers,” Fletcher said. “The other thing, too, that we’ve run into is wait lists. Other barriers would be getting here and transportation.”
Stigma continues to play a role as well. Fletcher said some people in smaller communities still worry about being seen seeking care.
“Sometimes I think people worry about, ‘oh, they will see my car there and think, what am I there for?’,” she said. “There’s still some of that concern and worry.”
Access has improved in some ways. Telehealth has helped reduce transportation barriers and connect more patients with providers, though some still prefer in-person visits.
Mental health needs have remained high in recent years. Fletcher said demand for services has not slowed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We're just seeing such surprising numbers. I think we were in a mental health crisis before COVID and we’ve just continued in that,” she said. “It hasn’t changed.”
Those trends are also showing up in local schools.
Laura Pals, the elementary school counselor at Belmond-Klemme, said anxiety and depression are among the most common concerns she sees in students, along with chronic stress and challenges related to family situations.
She said students are also dealing with stressors outside the classroom, including increased use of social media and technology.
“Many students are struggling with stressful events outside of the school building, which makes adjusting to school routines more difficult,” she said.
In a rural setting, access to specialized care can require travel. However, local partnerships have helped expand services. Pals said students in Belmond can access mental health care through Iowa Specialty Hospital, both in the community and within the school.
“We are very lucky to have mental health services through Iowa Specialty Hospital,” she said. “But being in a rural community makes it difficult to access more specific mental health and behavioral services that are offered in bigger cities.”
The school also offers telehealth through a program called Classroom Clinic, allowing students to meet with providers privately during the school day.
Both Fletcher and Pals said stigma remains a barrier, though awareness efforts are helping reduce it.
“Some students and parents are hesitant to talk to me at first because they don’t understand my role and how I can help them,” Pals said. “There might be some preconceived notions about mental health that can make it hard for them to open up as well.”
Mental Health Awareness Month helps bring attention to these challenges while encouraging people to seek help.
“We all have mental health,” Fletcher said. “You need to take care of yourself as far as your mind goes. Otherwise, you're not going to be able to take care of your body. “
She said mental and physical health are closely connected.
“If your mental health isn’t good, then your physical health isn’t good. If your physical health isn't good, then your mental health isn't good,” she said.
Recognizing when to seek help is an important step. Fletcher said signs may include changes in mood, loss of interest in activities, sleep issues or increased anxiety.
Both experts encourage people not to wait until a crisis to take action.
“Mental health awareness is not just about responding to a mental health crisis,” Pals said. “It’s also about preventing mental health issues before they arise.”
Pals said prevention may include teaching healthy coping strategies, such as going for walks, playing a sport, taking deep breaths, talking to a trusted adult or listening to music. She said many students don’t know how to manage big emotions and that it is a shared responsibility to help children develop those skills.
For those who feel hesitant, Fletcher said support is available.
“Depression, anxiety and mental illness do not discriminate,” she said. “It’s okay to reach out. It’s okay to get help. The more we talk about it, the more we open up about it, the more that breaks that stigma down.”
Locally, Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics offers therapy and psychiatric medication management, with multiple providers serving the region. The organization also partners with area schools to provide care directly to students.
As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, local providers encourage residents to start conversations, use available resources and seek support when needed. Taking that first step, whether talking to a trusted adult or contacting a provider, can make a difference.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.