Molina Healthcare of Iowa Invests $25,000 in Mental Health Education Through Grant to NAMI Iowa
Latest donation brings total to $75,000 in support of Ending the Silence program
DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 30, 2025 – Molina Healthcare of Iowa (“Molina”) in collaboration with The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (“MolinaCares”), donated $25,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa (“NAMI Iowa”) in support of its Ending the Silence (“ETS”) program, an effort to educate students and adults on how to identify when an individual may benefit from mental health services. For the last three years, Molina and MolinaCares have funded ETS presentations and training for its presenters, bringing the total commitment to $75,000.
Mental health conditions among Iowa’s youth highlight an urgent need for targeted intervention, education, and support. Nationally, 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 experiences a mental health condition each year. In Iowa, 22.6% of 9th to 12th graders reported experiencing suicidal thoughts. A key feature of ETS is the inclusion of personal stories from young adult presenters living with mental health conditions, providing a peer perspective that dispels myths, fosters hope, and encourages a reduction in stigma.
“NAMI Iowa greatly appreciates MolinaCares and Molina Healthcare of Iowa, and their commitment to prevention and education,” said Ryan Crane, executive director of NAMI Iowa. “It is only with the support and investment of partners like them that we can do our statewide work.”
“Accessing mental health services begins when individuals learn they are not alone in their struggle, which is why Molina proudly continues its support for the Ending the Silence educational program,” said Jennifer Vermeer, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Iowa. “Through this MolinaCares grant, we enable NAMI to expand capacity and reach even more Iowans in need of this critical knowledge.”
In 2024, NAMI exceeded its goal of reaching 1,000 junior high and middle school youth across Iowa. Schools that have implemented ETS report a high retention rate, highlighting its positive impact on students and school communities. The 50-minute presentations are also adapted for other audiences including teachers and parents.
About The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation
The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc. The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation was created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Iowa
Molina Healthcare of Iowa, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through the Medicaid program in Iowa. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Iowa, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About NAMI Iowa
NAMI Iowa serves as a catalyst around advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all Iowans affected by mental health conditions can lead their best lives. We envision a world in which all people affected by mental illness experience resiliency, recovery, and wellness. For more information, visit www.namiiowa.org.
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