(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh says “Thanks to community partnerships and grant funding, over the past six months a number of free mental health programs and resources were provided in Cass County. Furthermore, many of these resources continue to remain available.”

Hoegh says “Last fall, the Atlantic Public Library received a grant from Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) District 6 to fund mental health resources and programming in Cass County. As a result of this grant, each Cass County library received 42 items for circulation on mental health covering topics from nonfiction books for adults, teens, and children to documentaries to games and kits. All items remain available at all six Cass County libraries—Anita, Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis, Massena, and Atlantic. But the grant didn’t just fund books, it also funded mental health programming.”

In the fall of  2021, the Atlantic Public Library hosted a virtual program, “Therapy FAQ,” during which local mental health experts answered common questions about therapy such as when someone might seek therapy and how to go about finding a therapist. A recording of the one-hour program remains available on Atlantic Public Library’s Facebook page.

In the winter of 2022, the Atlantic Public Library hosted another virtual program, “Restart: designing a healthy post-pandemic life,” during which author and psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee shared insights by her book of the same name, including tips such as creating a list of self-care activities and hosting boredom parties. Copies of Dodgen-Magee’s book are available at all Cass County libraries.

In addition to virtual events, the Atlantic Public Library pushed to bring Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) suicide prevention trainings to Cass County. Healthy Cass County and Cass County Iowa State University Extension partnered with the Atlantic Public Library, the Anita Public Library, the Anita Health and Wellness Center, and the Griswold Public Library, to offer QPR suicide prevention training in three locations across Cass County, reaching over 60 people in March 2022.

The trainings received very positive feedback. Participants commented, “Everyone needs this course,” and, “it was  reassuring to see the level of interest and sincerity of the participants.” QPR training continues to be available through ISU Extension. Virtual training sessions are offered through https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/QPR, and local businesses or groups interested in scheduling in-person trainings can contact the Cass County ISU Extension office at 712-243-1132.

The grant funds were also used to purchase two faith-based book kits. Holy Vulnerability: spiritual practices for the broken, ashamed, anxious, and afraid by Kellye Fabian and Rhythms of Renewal: trading stress and anxiety for a life of peace and purpose by Rebekah Lyons are available for checkout at the Atlantic Public Library. The Rhythms of Renewal kit also has a 5-session DVD to use in addition to (or instead of) the full book. Both kits have been used and received excellent feedback from participants.  Individuals and local faith groups are invited to use the kits at their convenience. The kits have 10-12 copies of the book and check out for six weeks.

Mental health was identified as a top health need in the 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment. Programs and resources such as those mentioned above wouldn’t be possible without community support and participation. Healthy Cass County thanks everyone who has funded, attended, and promoted mental health events in Cass County. People in Cass County can expect to hear more about additional mental health events soon, as May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network that promotes the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across the county. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information.