Tennessee state leaders are encouraging Tennesseans to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, October 23 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Take Back Day provides an opportunity for people to account for the prescription medications in their homes and safely and securely dispose of the medications they no longer need.

TDMHSAS) is urging everyone to take a moment to take a quick screening in honor of National Depression Screening Day: October 7, 2021. Free screenings are available on the TDMHSAS website through our partners at the Mental Health Association of America.

TDMHSAS is receiving federal funding to support the mental health needs of people who survived deadly flash flooding in August. More than $116,000 is coming to the state through the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program.

Tennesseans are pausing to remember International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) after a year when sadly more people than ever died from a drug overdose. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Health, and community groups across the state are holding memorials, trainings, and awareness events to remember the lives lost, celebrate the survivors of overdose, and empower Tennesseans to prevent deadly overdoses in their communities.

TDMHSAS is expanding OnTrack TN, Tennessee’s First Episode Psychosis Initiative to three new counties. Funding for this expansion is coming from federal COVID-19 pandemic response grants.

TDMHSAS is receiving more than $53 million in additional funding from the federal government to address post-COVID mental health and substance use needs. The supplemental block grant funding will add more than $27 million to mental health services and nearly $26 million to substance use services over the next four years.

TDMHSAS is releasing a new certification for peer support specialists designed specifically for young adults with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges. The Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialist program is tailored to young adults in both design and language with a target age range of 18 to 30 and a requirement of one year in recovery.

Around the world and right here in Tennessee, we celebrate May as Mental Health Month. After the last year, the opportunity to pause, reflect, and evaluate our own mental health and that of the people in our lives has never been more important.

Tennesseans have a renewed opportunity to remove harmful and potentially-addictive prescription medication from their homes as a part of the upcoming 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event is ¬¬¬set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 24, 2021.

Tennessee’s Emotional Support Line for Pandemic Stress is adding a new method for people to reach out for help. The free and confidential line now has the capability to offer assistance via text message. Call or text 888-642-7886.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee re-introduced the Mental Health Trust Fund in a renewed proposal to assist K-12 families who are facing significant mental health issues in the wake of COVID-19. This proposal allocates $250 million in available funds to create strong mental health services for school-aged students through a systemwide, evidence-based approach.

For your consideration, please see the following op-ed from Marie Williams, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

TDMHSAS is receiving a new federal grant to expand the System of Care Across Tennessee Network (SOCAT-N). The four-year, $12 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) expands SOCAT services to 13 new, rural counties for service availability in all 95 Tennessee counties.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and Department of Health are kicking off a new campaign centered around the risk of drug overdose and suicide during the winter holidays.

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), in partnership with several statewide organizations, announced the COVID-19 Emotional Support Line is now available for all Tennessee educators.