Coalition for a Children’s Mental Health Redesign in Iowa Releases Call for Action at Sept. 17 Press Conference

Thursday, Sept. 17, 3 p.m. in the Statehouse Rotunda, Des Moines – Followed by a public discussion in room 116.

The coalition is a group of individuals and organizations with expertise and lived experience in children’s mental health, education, law enforcement, safety, development and wellbeing. It was formed and organized by the NAMI Iowa Children’s Mental Health Committee in partnership with the Iowa Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council. This Call for Action is a guide for elected officials, community leaders, government departments and organizations working with and on behalf of Iowa’s children at the state, regional, county and local levels. It is a blueprint for positive and effective systems change that outlines a five-year plan for improving the lives of Iowa’s children.

Iowa’s Children’s Mental Health Crisis

• 50% of lifetime cases of severe mental illness begin by age 14, 75% before age 24.
• Early treatment dramatically reduces the disability of severe lifetime mental illness but the average delay between onset and treatment is 8-10 years and 64,000 Iowa children with Severe Emotional Disorder do not get help.

What this means for Iowa’s Future

High School Dropout
Half of students with mental illness drop out

Suicide
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24 and 90% of those who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness.

Homelessness
26% of the homeless population lives with severe mental illness (4 times more than the general population)

Crime
70% of youth in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness.

Unemployment
60-80 % of those living with mental illness are unemployed2 90% in the case of the most severe mental illnesses

Poverty
33-50% of those with serious mental illness live at the federal poverty level.

For more information or to set up an interview please contact:
Tammy Nyden: 641-990-9974 or namiiowacmhc@mediacombb.net.