State Receives $2.1 Million to Continue Crisis Counseling Services for Flood Victims

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (TDMHDD) received a $2.1 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to continue providing mental health outreach, counseling, and educational services to individuals impacted by the severe storms, historic flooding, and tornados that began April 30, 2010. The grant will begin September 1, 2010.

 

The department will continue to collaborate with five community mental health centers in Middle and West Tennessee to provide basic mental health services in affected communities including individual and group crisis counseling, public education, community networking and support, and both adult and child needs assessment and referral. Fourteen new outreach counselors will be added to the teams to provide enhanced support for individuals and families in affected communities.

 

“As the traumatic event of the storms and flooding and their destructive aftermath continue to unfold in our community, the need for helpful, fundamental, and timely mental health services and materials is essential,” stated Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts. “It is important for everyone to know they are not alone in times like this and needed resources and proven strategies are available across the state.”

 

Services are now available for individuals in Cheatham, Clay, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Maury, Montgomery, Perry, Rutherford, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson Counties.

 

In May, the department received an initial 90-day grant of $380,000 from FEMA to provide mental health and educational services in the counties affected by flooding and severe weather. This second grant will continue those services through June 2011.

 

For a list of additional mental health resources or crisis services in your area visit www.tn.gov/mental or call TDMHDD’s Office of Consumer Affairs at (615) 532-6700 or 1-800-560-5767.

 

The following community mental health centers will be providing free mental health education, crisis counseling, and referral services to the counties listed.