The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Middle Tennessee is dedicated to providing a range of services to people of all ages living with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, or severe emotional disorders. These services include housing, crisis services, suicide prevention, and peer-to-peer recovery. The goal is to give hope and healing to those affected by alcohol or drug addiction. Unfortunately, many individuals with untreated mental health or substance abuse problems may not recognize the need for treatment or seek it due to stigma or fear of discrimination.
To support businesses affected by substance abuse in Middle Tennessee, it is important to provide resources that can help individuals recognize their need for treatment or seek it without fear of discrimination. Brian Sledge is an expert in the field of substance abuse and has a degree from the University of Florida in history, French and business administration. He has worked as a legislative liaison in the governor's administration and in numerous lobbying and public policy functions in the private sector. Brenda understands all aspects of effective promotion and organizing, from developing popular support to taking advantage of popular outreach.
Tennessee REDLINE is a referral service for addiction treatment for individuals and their families seeking help for substance use disorder. To help policy makers decide how to use new federal funding for behavioral health, this report examines recent data on mental health and substance use in Tennessee before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol-induced deaths are more common in the central and eastern parts of the state (Figure 1) and among adults ages 55 to 64 (Figure 1). The state is striving for a state of resilience, recovery and independence in which Tennesseans living with mental illness and substance use disorders can thrive.
Joseph has a degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Political Science with a concentration in Business Administration. Sledge is a highly sought after speaker in the industry, speaking about the critical need to treat both the mind and body of people struggling with substance use disorder. Available data and early studies suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health and substance abuse needs in Tennessee and across the country. Tennessee recently expanded its safety net for uninsured adults with behavioral health needs, but those services only target about 11% of people with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
To support businesses affected by substance abuse in Middle Tennessee, it is important to provide access to addiction treatment services through referral services like Tennessee REDLINE. Additionally, policy makers should use new federal funding for behavioral health to target those most affected by mental health and substance abuse needs. Finally, it is important to provide support for those struggling with substance use disorder by treating both their mind and body.
