Waterloo Student City Council discusses mental health initiatives in school

The Iowa Legislature convened on March 25, 2025, with a focus on community engagement and mental health awareness. The session began with a prayer led by Representative Johnson of Buchanan, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

A significant highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the Waterloo Student City Council by Representative Brown Powers. The council, accompanied by their instructor, Mrs. Luce, was recognized for their previous efforts in promoting mental health initiatives, specifically their work on suicide prevention by placing a hotline number on student IDs. They were present to discuss mental health issues in schools and encouraged legislators to engage with them during the session.

In addition to this, Representative Conferst announced that the Democratic caucus would meet following the 10:30 committee block, while Representative Wishtittle confirmed a similar caucus for the Republicans. Both representatives urged their colleagues to stay alert for text updates regarding the timing of these meetings.

The session concluded with a voice vote, affirming the approval of the journal from the previous meeting. Overall, the discussions underscored the importance of mental health awareness in educational settings and the collaborative efforts of students and legislators in addressing this critical issue.