Even though we've moved into life post-pandemic. The COVID-19 Pandemic has had an emotional impact on everyone, with children and youth being significantly impacted. Whether it’s coping with the stress of school changes, family economic challenges, or political and social unrest, youth today are dealing with a lot. It will be a few years before health professionals understand the true impact of the pandemic on youth mental health. However, we do know it will be substantial.
If you believe you or a member of your family may be experiencing a mental health crisis, please consider using the resources below and check out these videos from Frontier Health concerning the impact of COVID-19 on children and youth.
A Guide to Helping Your Youth with Stress Due to COVID-19
A Guide to Helping Your High Schooler with Stress Due to COVID-19
Mental health services for children can include outpatient counseling, case management, psychiatric services or other support services for your family. These services are available from community mental health centers, other community agencies and private providers through TennCare, private insurance plans and private pay fees.
To access mental health services in your area, call toll free 800-568-2642, or visit the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations website.
Additional services for families and children before they may need clinical treatment are listed below. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services supports a variety of prevention, early intervention and family support services.
Early Intervention
When a child shows behavioral, social or emotional problems, early intervention is a way to help identify the cause and get the right kind of treatment for the child. Early intervention involves parents, caregivers and professionals being aware of a child’s behavior at an early stage, and taking action to seek or provide services, so the child will have fewer problems later. Learn more about early intervention programs.
School-Based Liaisons
The School-Based Liaison program provides training and education about childhood mental health and substance abuse issues to classroom teachers, school staff and students. Liaisons consult with teachers face to face to assist children who show signs of disorders or are at higher risk of developing:
- Emotional or behavioral problems
- Substance use or abuse problems
The liaison also provides support between the family and the school.
School-based mental health services are provided by several agencies throughout the state:
• West Tennessee (serving Gibson, Madison and Crockett County):
Pathways Behavioral Health Services 731-541-8267
• Middle Tennessee (serving Humphreys County):
Centerstone of Tennessee, Inc. 615-460-4200
• Middle Tennessee (serving Rutherford and Williamson counties):
Volunteer Behavioral Health, Inc. 615-898-0771 (Murfreesboro) or 615-794-9973 (Franklin)
• East Tennessee (serving Washington, Carter and Unicoi counties):
Frontier Health, Inc. 423-232-2700
• East Tennessee (serving Cocke county):
Helen Ross McNabb Center 423-232-2700
Access mental health services in your area, or call The Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations toll free at 800-568-2642.
The Project B.A.S.I.C. program is available in 43 elementary schools in 35 counties across the state. A child development specialist works with children from kindergarten through third grade to promote good mental health and to help children who need more intensive services to get those services. Services are accessible to all Kindergarten through Third Grade students, their parents, and teachers in the school.
In this program, Project B.A.S.I.C. school-based mental health services are provided by several agencies throughout the state:
• West Tennessee (serving Benton, Henry and Lake counties):
Carey Counseling Center, Inc. 800-467-5503 (For West Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• West Tennessee (serving Gibson, Madison and Obion counties):
Pathways Behavioral Health Services 800-467-5503 (For West Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• West Tennessee (serving Fayette, Haywood and Lauderdale counties):
Professional Care Services of West Tennessee, Inc. 901-476-8967
• West Tennessee (serving Decatur, Hardeman, Henderson and McNairy counties):
Quinco Mental Health Centers 800-467-5503 (For West Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• Middle Tennessee (serving Giles, Lewis, Maury, Perry, Robertson and Wayne counties):
Centerstone of Tennessee, Inc. 800-467-5503 (For West Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• Middle Tennessee (serving Bledsoe, Cumberland, Grundy, Macon, Meigs, Rutherford and Warren counties):
Volunteer Behavioral Health, Inc. 423-639-7034 (For East Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• East Tennessee (serving Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins and Unicoi counties):
Frontier Health, Inc. 423-639-7034 (For East Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• East Tennessee (serving Hamilton County):
Helen Ross McNabb Center 423-639-7034 (For East Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• East Tennessee (serving Cocke and Hamblen counties):
Cherokee Health Systems 423-639-7034 (For East Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
• East Tennessee (serving Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins and Unicoi counties):
Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services 423-639-7034 (For East Tennessee Project B.A.S.I.C. Technical Assistant)
Learn about all the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services family support programs.