Services for Children, Youth, Young Adults, and Families

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services along with its dedicated and professional network of community service providers and sister agencies has a vast array of services for young people ranging in age from infant to young adult.  Please choose an age range below for a look at services offered.  You can find additional services and supports for young people and their families at the bottom of this page.

children

Learn how the System of Care initiative in Tennessee is helping children across the state. 

The Regional Intervention Program (RIP) is a parent-implemented, professionally-supported program for young children and their families who are experiencing challenging behaviors.

Tennessee’s Behavioral Health Safety Net for children provides essential mental health services for children ages 3-17.

BASIC promotes mental health by identifying children at risk of serious emotional disorders and referring them to treatment.

School Based Behavioral Health Liaisons provide prevention services for children who have or are at-risk for Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), behavior problems, or substance use disorders.

The Youth and Young Adult Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness program expands outcomes-based suicide prevention activities.

Erase the Stigma is a free program that provides education about mental illness. By providing education, Erase the Stigma offers helps understanding of mental illness and reduces the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Respite is a break from the constant care of a family member with an illness or disability. Stress from constant care can affect caregivers’ health and functioning and potentially harm the family unit.

The Statewide Family Support Network is a program that supports caregivers of children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED).

Children and youth with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) who experience homelessness can receive help to secure housing and keep the family intact.

Emotional Fitness Centers offer no cost mental health and substance abuse screenings.

Provides early childhood mental health training, coaching and consultation (using best practices) to centers and systems that serve young children across the state.  Click the link to visit a page on the provider's website.

Services including on-site child, family, and group counseling to children who are at-risk of serious emotional disturbances and their mothers. Based in Nashville and available up to age 11.

TEIS is a program that provides services to children from birth up to the start of school who have disabilities or other developmental delays. The TEIS program is a critically important program to supporting young children and their families to reach their optimal development. 

Learn how the System of Care initiative in Tennessee is helping children across the state. 

Tennessee’s Behavioral Health Safety Net for children provides essential mental health services for children ages 3-17.

School Based Behavioral Health Liaisons provide prevention services for children who have or are at-risk for Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), behavior problems, or substance use disorders.

BASIC promotes mental health by identifying children at risk of serious emotional disorders and referring them to treatment.

Erase the Stigma is a free program that provides education about mental illness. By providing education, Erase the Stigma offers helps understanding of mental illness and reduces the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

The Violence and Bullying Prevention program helps children with skill enhancement in empathy building, resilience training, impulse control, decision making, and anger management.

On Track TN is designed to provide early intervention services for youth and young adults ages 15 to 30 who have experienced first-episode psychosis.

Learn more about how TDMHSAS is working with community behavioral health partners to increase options to reduce out-of-home placements for youth.

The Statewide Family Support Network is a program that supports caregivers of children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED).

The Youth Screen assessment tool is provided in schools and detention centers for early identification of mental health, alcohol, drug and physical health risks.

The Healthy Transitions Initiative assists Tennessee youth and young adults with or at risk of mental illness and co-occurring disorders in improving their health and wellness, leading self-directed lives, and reaching their full potential.

Emotional Fitness Centers offer no cost mental health and substance abuse screenings.

Children and youth with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) who experience homelessness can receive help to secure housing and keep the family intact.

Services including on-site child, family, and group counseling to children who are at-risk of serious emotional disturbances and their mothers. Based in Nashville and available up to age 11.

The Youth and Young Adult Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness program expands outcomes-based suicide prevention activities.

Respite is a break from the constant care of a family member with an illness or disability. Stress from constant care can affect caregivers’ health and functioning and potentially harm the family unit.

Learn how the System of Care initiative in Tennessee is helping children across the state. 

The Statewide Family Support Network is a program that supports caregivers of children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED).

Erase the Stigma is a free program that provides education about mental illness. By providing education, Erase the Stigma offers helps understanding of mental illness and reduces the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Tennessee’s Behavioral Health Safety Net for children provides essential mental health services for young adults age 18+.

On Track TN is designed to provide early intervention services for youth and young adults ages 15 to 30 who have experienced first-episode psychosis.

The Healthy Transitions Initiative assists Tennessee youth and young adults with or at risk of mental illness and co-occurring disorders in improving their health and wellness, leading self-directed lives, and reaching their full potential.

The Youth and Young Adult Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness program expands outcomes-based suicide prevention activities.

Emotional Fitness Centers offer no cost mental health and substance abuse screenings.

For More Information

If you have concerns or need services for yourself, a child, or family member, contact our Helpline:
Phone: 800-560-5767
Email: OCA.TDMHSAS@tn.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for state holidays)

If you feel at any time that you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line toll-free 24 hours, 7 days a week at 1-855-274-7471.

To learn more about programs for children, young adults, and Families, please contact:

Keri Virgo
Director, Office of Children, Young Adults, & Families
615-253-3143
Keri.Virgo@tn.gov