TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE—The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Acting Administrator Dr. Eric Broderick presented a “big check” today to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts for $1.5 million. The funds are to continue the work of the Tennessee Lives Count project and provide three additional years of youth suicide prevention initiatives in Tennessee.

NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities received a grant of $9 million from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to implement a coordinated system of care for children and youth in Memphis and Shelby County over the next six years, called the JustCare Family Network. Effective September 30, 2008, the grant is a result of the partnership among TDMHDD, Tennessee Voices for Children, JustCare for Kids, Dr. Leon Caldwell with Rhodes College, and Comprehensive Counseling Network (Frayser Millington Mental Health Center).

NASHVILLE—With home foreclosures on the rise, the increasing price of fuel and energy, and the recent events on Wall Street, many Tennesseans find themselves feeling worried and depressed. It is common to feel extra stress during tough financial times, but when the negative feelings persist and prevent you from doing daily activities and interacting with others, it could be a sign of a more serious condition.

NASHVILLE—In Tennessee, an estimated 850 men, women, and youth die by suicide each year—more than the number who die from homicide, AIDS, or drunk driving. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities wants to make Tennesseans aware of this issue and let them know that suicides can be prevented.

NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Alcohol and Drug Council of Middle Tennessee are joining together to recognize all Tennesseans who are currently in recovery from past drug and alcohol abuse and those who are working toward recovery. Alcohol and drug addictions are serious chronic illnesses that require focused attention and treatment regimens. With proper treatment and supports, recovery is certainly possible for all persons facing the illness of drug and alcohol abuse.

In Tennessee, an estimated 750 men, women, and children die by suicide each year—more than the number who die from homicide, AIDS, or drunk driving. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (TDMHDD), along with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, is working to increase suicide prevention awareness during September, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Identifying and Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

NASHVILLE — Lakeshore Mental Health Institute recently received notification of full compliance with the CMS required conditions of participation for psychiatric hospitals. This report was based on an unscheduled CMS survey conducted at the facility on October 4, 2006. The final report received on Monday, November 20, 2006 granted recertification with no cited deficiencies.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (TDMHDD) and Magellan Health Services in partnership with NAMI Tennessee, Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO), Tennessee Voices for Children, and the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association are sponsoring a symposium to focus on mental health recovery and resiliency.

NASHVILLE — Dr. Freida Hopkins Outlaw, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Special Populations and Minority Services at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (TDMHDD), has recently published an important work in the second edition of African-American Women’s Health and Social Issues.