New Toll-Free Crisis Hotline Announced for Mental Health and Substance Use Services

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Mental Health (TDMH) announced a new statewide number for mental health and substance use crisis services in an effort to create a more user-friendly service. The new number, 1-855-CRISIS-1 (1-855-274-7471), is replacing the state’s existing toll-free number and will continue to route callers to their local crisis provider. 

 

“Many times, interaction with crisis services is an individual’s first introduction to mental health or substance use services,” said Doug Varney, TDMH Commissioner. “Promoting the safety and emotional stability of individuals with mental illness or in emotional crisis is one of the major goals of the department and the hotline service, and we hope that a more easily remembered number will lead to greater accessibility for Tennesseans experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.”

 

The state’s mental health crisis system includes a 24-hour, seven days a week, toll-free telephone hotline, mobile crisis services, crisis stabilization units, crisis respite services, medically monitored crisis detoxification units, mandatory pre-screening agent services and peer support services. State certified peer support specialists work with crisis specialists to assist adults in alleviating and stabilizing crises and to promote the recovery process. 

 

A behavioral health crisis is any mental health and/or substance use issue perceived to be a crisis by an individual. The crisis can extend to include family members or others who are closely observing the individual.

 

For more information about crisis services, or for more information about mental health and substance use disorders, please contact the Tennessee Department of Mental Health at 615-253-4812 or http://www.tn.gov/mental.  

 

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