Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed two bills into law that deal with adult mental health care options in Iowa and suicide prevention efforts in schools. She also pledged to lead a new effort to address the mental health care system for children in Iowa.
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One of the bills Reynolds signed will help establish six “access centers” around the state where health care professionals are available to assess patients who are having a mental health crisis. Another aim of the bill is to create options for Iowans who need an in-patient or residential setting rather than a bed in hospital psychiatric ward.
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Reynolds says the two laws will provide a “roadmap” to a more complete mental health care system for Iowans and help schools better identify the early signs of depression and mental health issues in students.
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