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.

TDMHSAS is excited to announce applications are open for about $15 million in state funding to create affordable, permanent supportive housing for Tennesseans living with behavioral health challenges.

TDMHSAS is passing a milestone in the journey of peer support. Tennessee now has more than 1,000 people with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges who are trained and currently certified to use their past to help others on the road to recovery.

TDMHSAS is excited to expand a proven program for reversing drug overdoses and connecting patients to addiction treatment to more parts of the state. The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance is providing a $6,000,000, 3-year grant to expand the program.

TDMHSAS is expanding its substance use prevention services with funding for three additional organizations. With new funding extended to Substance Use Prevention Coalitions in Wilson, Cannon, and Greene Counties, TDMHSAS funds 46 coalitions across the state.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee launched the new School Safety Toolkit for Tennessee Families, a practical resource to help parents prepare and engage in their child’s school safety plan.

TDMHSAS is encouraging all Tennesseans to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 29 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. local time.

TDMHSAS is receiving a new five-year, $3,000,000 grant to support families and children affected by opioids and other substance misuse. The Regional Partnership Grant through the Federal Administration for Children and Families is designed to increase the well-being, improve permanency, and enhance safety of children who are in or are at risk of out of home placement due to a parent or caregiver’s opioid or other substance misuse.

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 SAMHSA will allow the department to continue the Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) program in Memphis.