Women Helping Women 2025: Exploring Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women Helping Women 2025: Exploring Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health

Urbandale, Iowa – Mind & Spirit Counseling Center is thrilled to announce the 27th Annual Women Helping Women luncheon, taking place on Friday, May 2, at the Meadows Events Center at Prairie Meadows. This highly anticipated event will bring together community leaders, mental health advocates and supporters to explore this year’s timely theme: Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health.

The event will begin with networking from 11:00 to 11:30 AM, followed by a program from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Women Helping Women will honor Mary Gottschalk for her remarkable contributions to our community and her dedication to service, philanthropy and building a sustainable future for the Center. The event will also feature a thought-provoking panel discussion bringing together a diverse group of voices to explore the impact of social media on mental health from different generations and professional backgrounds. Our panelists include:

• Dr. Heidi Bowden, DSW, LISW, Clinical Social Worker & Training Director at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center

• Gabby Guerra, Executive Director at Al Éxito 

• Hannah Koch, Student at Urbandale High School

• Rob Randazzo, Associate Principal at Hoover High School

Adding an interactive element to the experience, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with three booths showcasing therapeutic modalities that we offer our clients. Mind & Spirit Counseling Center clinicians will be on hand to share insights and answer questions about these transformative healing practices. A photo booth will also be available, embracing the theme with a fun and engaging activity.

In alignment with this year’s theme, Beaverdale Books will be on-site selling The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, along with other carefully curated books related to mental health and social media. 10% of all book sales will be donated to Mind & Spirit Counseling Center, helping to further the Center’s mission of providing accessible mental health care to those in need.

A major announcement for this year’s event is an exciting new matching gift opportunity. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all new or upgraded donations toward Women Helping Women will be matched up to $20,000—an incredible opportunity to double the impact of every gift.

“Women Helping Women is more than just a luncheon; it’s a movement,” said Heather Stuyvesant, Director of Development at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center. “This year’s focus on social media and mental health is critical, as we navigate the ways technology shapes our emotional well-being. We invite the community to join us for an inspiring and impactful event.”

The funds raised from this annual luncheon provide counseling, education, training and other services for women, children and families who are underinsured or from low-income households. Over its 26-year history, this event has raised over $2.5 million to ensure access to mental health support for those in need.

Help us reach our $300,000 goal to advance this mission and continue providing life-changing mental health services to those who need them most.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now. For more information or to reserve your spot, visit mindspiritcenter.org/whw or contact 515-564-5122.