NASHVILLE – As part of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Systems of Care across the state will recognize May 9 as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day in order to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) along with the OASIS Center  today are highlighting National Kick Butts Day  by unveiling a statewide art project in the Legislative Plaza that displays 172 pairs of shorts  to  illustrate  the lives of Tennesseans cut short due to tobacco use.    Kick Butts Day is a national event that works to engage children and youth nationwide in learning about the negative impacts of tobacco use.   

Cabinet to create comprehensive strategy focused on Tennessee children’s well-being

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today announced the governor will issue an executive order refocusing and restructuring the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, which they will co-chair.

This makes the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet the only one in the country co-chaired by both a governor and the spouse, according to the National Forum for Youth Investment, and the group through collaboration and cooperation will create a comprehensive strategy focused on issues such as children’s physical and mental health, education, safety and overall well-being.

Multi-year action plan resulting from collaboration of 11 state agencies

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced a comprehensive, multi-year action plan designed to improve public safety statewide. 

The Governor’s Public Safety Subcabinet Working Group, which includes commissioners and representatives from 11 state agencies, submitted the plan after months of meetings with more than 300 public safety professionals and stakeholders across the state.

 NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health Commissioner Doug Varney is pleased to announce Helen Ross McNabb, Inc. as the new adult mobile crisis provider for the counties of Blount, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, and Sevier effective February 1, 2012.

 NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) invites community participation in an upcoming training and community planning session entitled Early Connections Network: Make a Connection in Your Community!  This event provides professionals, parents, and community partners in Middle Tennessee the opportunity to learn how agencies, community members, and families in a System of Care can work together to produce better outcomes for young children and their families in their community.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) Commissioner Doug Varney is promoting October 29 as National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Due to the alarming misuse and abuse of prescription drugs across the nation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be collecting and destroying potentially hazardous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs at sites nationwide. This a safe, free and anonymous service with no questions asked.

 NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) Commissioner Doug Varney is promoting September 19-25 as National Wellness Week.

National Wellness Week seeks to promote the many ways wellness can improve quality of life and increase life expectancy for people with mental and substance use disorders.

 NASHVILLE – In recognition of Recovery Month, Tennessee Department of Mental Health Commissioner Doug Varney is asking Tennesseans to join him in honoring individuals who have or are currently seeking treatment and recovery services for substance use and mental disorders.

 NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) Commissioner Doug Varney has named Paul Fuchar as chair of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health Planning and Policy Council as of July 1, 2011. Fuchar has been appointed for a two year term.