TDMHSAS Receives New Funding to Continue Mental Health Intervention for Youth and Young Adults

MEMPHIS, Tenn.— The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is receiving new grant funding to continue a mental health program for youth and young adults in Shelby County.

A $400,000 federal grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will allow the department to continue the Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) program in Memphis.  CHR-P works with youth and young adults ages 12-25 is to identify, prevent, intervene, and lessen the impact of psychotic disorders.  Services provided through CHR-P help clients understand what they’re going through, connect with therapy, and develop skills to gain employment.

“We know that the earlier we intervene for young people who need mental health help, the better the outcomes will be for everyone.  Looking at the data, this is a service that’s greatly needed in Shelby County, so we’re excited to work with our partners to reduce the amount of time that young people struggle before they find treatment,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW.

The new CHR-P program will be co-located at Alliance Health Care services with an existing OnTrackTN team that provides services to individuals ages 15-30 with first episode psychosis, thus enhancing service provision for youth and young adults on the psychosis spectrum in Shelby County and further minimizing and/or preventing the duration of untreated psychosis.

The new grant funding began September 30, 2022 and will run for four years.