The Tennessee Departments of Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Safety & Homeland Security, and the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) are partnering on a public health and safety campaign, “DON’T LET ALCOHOL RUIN THE HOLIDAYS,” to educate Tennesseans about the dangers of excessive alcohol use and promote safe alcohol practices.

TDMHSAS is encouraging all Tennesseans to look at the prescription medications in their homes and prepare to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday (October 28) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time.

TDMHSAS is excited to announce the appointment of Beth Goodner as its first-ever Assistant Commissioner for Children and Youth Mental Health Services. Goodner will lead a new division within TDMHSAS encompassing the department’s growing portfolio of mental health prevention, early intervention, treatment, and wellness programs for Tennesseans from birth to young adulthood.

Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement Council is opening its community grant application portal to receive proposals for its first round of funding. The portal will be open for groups to submit proposals through October 9, 2023.

On this International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, Tennessee pauses to remember the neighbors we have lost to overdose deaths, lift up the families touched by tragedy, and celebrate the brave men and women who have survived overdose and are living examples of recovery.

TDMHSAS and the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission are kicking off back to school season with important messages about underage drinking for youth and their parents.

Tennesseans now have access to mental health and addiction services at their fingertips through the MyTN app. The latest version of the state of Tennessee’s app includes a new section for mental health and addiction resources featuring the top services from TDMHSAS.

TDMHSAS is marking a milestone in its work to encourage, equip, and empower community partners to address mental health and addiction issues. The department recently certified its 1,000th Recovery Congregation through its Faith-Based Initiative.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) ask Tennesseans to take part in National DEA Take Back Day for prescription drugs on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

TDMHSAS is proud to expand its Collegiate Recovery Initiative with a new certification. The Tennessee Certified Collegiate Recovery Campus designation shows a college or university’s commitment to creating a student-centered culture that puts mental health and wellbeing at the heart of student success. The announcement comes as the department celebrates National Collegiate Recovery Week, April 10-15.

TDMHSAS applauds the Food and Drug Administration decision to make the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan available without a prescription. This decision at the federal level will expand the availability of the life-saving medication even further.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, one week after the tragic shooting at The Covenant School, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, Speaker Cameron Sexton and legislative leadership announced additional actions to strengthen safety at public and private schools across Tennessee. These measures include enhanced legislation and funding to place an armed security guard at every Tennessee public school, boost physical school security at public and private schools, and provide additional mental health resources for Tennesseans.

TDMHSAS is excited to announce the creation of four new Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) and Crisis Walk-In Centers. When the additional locations enter service later this year and early next year, the state’s already robust crisis services capacity will be expanded to a total of 12 centers.

Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement Council is making the first payments from opioid lawsuit settlements to counties totaling more than $31.4 million.

TDMHSAS is releasing new data showing the response to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the state. There were about 21,000 Tennessee calls to 988 in the last six months of 2022. That’s an increase of about 500 calls per month over the previous 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number.