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Tennessee Joins Neighboring States to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse

Thursday, August 25, 2011 | 01:53 pm
NASHVILLE – In an effort to fight prescription drug abuse and misuse in Tennessee, representatives from the Governor’s Office, Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and the Department of Mental Health on Wednesday attended the first meeting of the Interstate Prescription Drug Task Force in Ashland, Ky. Tennessee joins Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia in forming a multi-state alliance to fight prescription drug abuse on several fronts.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Safety & Homeland Security

Tennessee awarded grant to provide services to reduce youth suicide and suicide attempts

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 | 10:57 am
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) Commissioner Doug Varney today announced that the department has received a grant of more than $1.4 million over three years to help reduce suicide and suicide attempts by Tennessee youth. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for high school students and the second leading cause for college age youth in Tennessee.
The grant is known as Tennessee Lives Count (TLC) and was awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It went into effect August 1 and will be used to implement strategies that will increase the skills of individuals that work with high-risk youth to recognize the signs of suicide and to learn how to intervene to save lives. TLC will also provide post crisis follow-up to youth seen in area emergency departments following a suicide attempt. The enhanced follow-up will assist youth in developing effective coping skills and improving resiliency.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

TN Department of Mental Health Names Johnson Mental Health Center as Crisis Provider to Hamilton County

Monday, June 06, 2011 | 04:00 pm
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) is pleased to announce that Volunteer Behavioral Health Systems, which is represented in Chattanooga by the Johnson Mental Health Center, will be the new provider of crisis services for Hamilton County effective July 1, 2011. This announcement comes as part of an ongoing top-to-bottom review that Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam asked each state agency undertake to identify ways in which the departments can provide services more efficiently and effectively to the citizens of Tennessee.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

State Receives Grants to Continue Crisis Counseling Services for Flood and Tornado Victims

Thursday, June 02, 2011 | 10:10 am
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) has received an extension on 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 and historic flooding that initially began in the spring of 2010. The grant, which was set to conclude in June, will be extended until August 31, 2011.
 
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

Haslam’s Budget Amendment to Increase State Funding of Mental Health Services

Monday, May 16, 2011 | 12:00 pm

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has filed an amendment with the General Assembly that adjusts next year’s budget proposal to account for new estimates on increased state revenues. The supplemental appropriations amendment (SB2090/HB2139) includes funding for programs not included in the governor’s budget proposal back in March.

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

May Is Mental Health Month

Friday, April 29, 2011 | 09:44 am
NASHVILLE – In recognition of Mental Health Month, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) is encouraging Tennesseans to increase their awareness of mental health and mental illness. Mental health is fundamental to the achievement of overall health, but the stigma about persons with mental illness can be a destructive and difficult obstacle.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

State Agencies Aim to Reduce Youth Tobacco Consumption and Sales

Thursday, March 24, 2011 | 01:10 pm
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH), along with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH), and the Tennessee Department of Education - Office of Coordinated School Health, have teamed up with the Oasis Center, STARS, Nashville Prevention Partnership, and school districts across the state to reduce the sale and consumption of tobacco to youth. 
 
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services