May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Help for ALL AGES is Readily Accessible
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For years there was a severe shortage of providers in northeast Iowa who could help with mental health needs, until Tara Fink, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, joined the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinics. Her practice was soon full. With the additions last fall of two more Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Janet Hunter, PMHNP, and Angela Taylor, PMHNP, patients of ALL ages can be seen quickly, conveniently and confidentially locally.
Both Janet and Angela have cared for and helped many behavioral health patients this past year. They both entered this field because they had seen the great need for behavioral health care during their nursing careers.
Janet and Angela are accepting patients of all ages. In the first appointment, they will conduct roughly an hour-long assessment to formulate a diagnosis after which will follow psychoeducation and treatment options including suggestions for natural treatments and lifestyle changes as well as prescribed medication, when needed.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to watch this practice grow and to walk alongside people during some of the most important moments in their lives. Each day, I’m reminded why I chose this work—to help people feel seen, supported, and strengthened. Whether someone is navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, or simply trying to find more balance, I consider it a privilege to be
part of their healing.,” explains Janet Hunter, PMHNP. “Helping people reconnect with their resilience is one of the greatest joys of this profession. I love watching individuals discover new tools, gain clarity, and begin to feel like themselves again. The progress my clients make—sometimes in big steps, sometimes in small but meaningful shifts—continues to inspire me. I hope to create a space where people feel safe enough to be honest, hopeful enough to try something new, and supported enough to know they don’t have to do it alone.”
Angela Taylor, PMHNP, cares for patients in the Postville Clinic as well. She states, “My goal is to provide guidance and tools to enhance your wellbeing whether it be assisting you through a difficult event or management of mental illness. We will work as a team to find a plan specialized just for you.”
Anyone who has been struggling, or just feeling like something just isn’t quite right, is encouraged to reach out. These three behavioral health professionals support their patients, respect their goals and help them move toward a life that feels more grounded and less overwhelming. They all send the message that no one has to navigate this road on their own….they are here to help.
Patients can self-refer to see Angela Taylor or Janet Hunter by calling the Postville Clinic at 563-864-7221 or the Waukon Clinic at 563-568-5530.
