The Sioux City Journal in early May published an emotional three-part series examining the lack of mental health care services for young people in our region. Our focus was on the incredible challenges families face in Iowa, where 30 percent of residents live in a county with a mental health professional shortage. We found parents struggling to navigate a hodgepodge of independent providers and agencies. Some patients reported waiting up to eight weeks for an appointment. The reporting process took about four months, with extensive interviews and data collection. * Providers and state-run facilities in Iowa struggle to meet demand as the number of children with mental disorders increases. We found growing concern that long waits for appointments will result in children with mental illness ending up in emergency rooms; * A new Sioux City facility will mean more young people will receive the care they need close to home. * A statewide program is assisting families and connecting those in need with social workers, nurses and counselors.
