Department of Mental Health
E. Douglas Varney, Commissioner

Best Practice Guidelines

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health, in cooperation with TDMH Advisory Panel on Best Practice Guidelines, has developed guidelines for use by psychiatrists, primary care physicians, psychologists, health service providers, nurses, nurse clinicians, physician extenders, social workers and other health care professionals to:

• Promote high quality of care for adults and children served by Tennessee’s public health system
  
• Aid in identification, evaluation, and provision of effective treatment for persons with severe mental illness and severe emotional disorders
  
• To promote continuity of care through establishment of uniform treatment options and the best use of multidisciplinary treatment resources
  

Behavioral Health Services
For Children and Adolescents
July 2007, Revised April 2008

This 232-page document covers anxiety disorders; attention deficit disorders; autism spectrum disorders; disruptive disorders (including oppositional defiant and conduct disorders); mood disorders (including depressive and bipolar disorders); schizophrenia; and substance use disorders in children and adolescents. These guidelines further include information on system of care; copies of screening tools; and other resources such as Internet links to fact sheets and brochures. Limited information is also presented on the following disorders: adolescent sex offenders; eating disorders; mental retardation and comorbid psychiatric disorders; and reactive attachment disorders.

In addition to DSM-IV criteria for each disorder, evidence-based practice treatment options and bibliotherapy are provided. The document is available in PDF form by clicking on the name above.

Behavioral Health Services for Adults
Best Practice Guidelines
December 2010

This document contains information, statistics, and resources on selected behavioral health disorders as they apply to adults, specifically persons over 18 years of age. Among the disorders covered by these guidelines are anxiety disorders; dual diagnosis (mental health and intellectual disabilities); eating disorders; mood disorders; psychotic disorders; substance abuse disorders; co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance use); and traumatic brain injuries. Included are disorders that frequently show up in adult populations as well as those that may be more discriminating in the type of individual in which they manifest. Screening instruments and symptom and treatment issues are provided in the guidelines. In addition, there are discussions on comorbidities relative to other behavioral health disorders, physical health issues, and/or conditions linked to older adult populations. Special issues relevant to adult populations are also emphasized, including informed consent, recovery and resiliency, case management, precautions involving psychotropic medications, cultural competence, and mental health professional shortage areas.

Every effort has been made to include evidence-based treatment practices as part of the best practices, to the extent possible. Service maps are contained within the guidelines, including a map of the current mental health professional shortage areas in the state. The document includes a total of 212 pages. It is in PDF format and can be accessed by clicking the link for the document name.