Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee

About

Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee provides mental health education and services to the Middle Tennessee community.

Story

Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee (formerly known as the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee) ) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that has been providing mental health services and wellness resources to the Middle Tennessee community for over 65 years.

Over the years, MHAMT has worked diligently to educate all members of our community about how to attain good mental health. We share our message of hope for mental wellness to thousands of individuals and families annually.

Mission

Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee connects the community with specialized mental health and wellness resources, provides services that improve the quality of life, and promotes effective services where mental health needs exist.

Products

Current Services

J. Speed Thomas Mental Health Assistance Center

Provides consultations, information, and referrals about mental illness and community resources to consumers, family members, and mental health professionals. The assistance center helps over 1,000 clients with mental health concerns each year. Additionally, the MHAC provides mental health training to interpreters and health care providers across the state. For more information about these serves, please contact Diane Gramann, Program Manager, at [email protected].


The Aging Services Program

Assists caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease through educational classes, in-home consultations, and support groups. Services include:

- The Concerned Caregiver serves the needs of caregivers through a support group for family members of Alzheimer’s patients. Educational classes or series of classes are conducted for family caretakers of Alzheimer’s patients.
- Our educational program, “Just the Facts...Preparing Alzheimer’s Caregivers” is a four-week course offered across Middle Tennessee where local professionals speak about accessing community resources, legal and financial issues, and coping with the emotional impact on family members.

Contact Nancy Pertl at [email protected], Caregiver Education Coordinator or Diane Gramann at [email protected] at our aging services staff for more information on any of these programs.


Erasing the Stigma

Is a statewide mental health education program that makes presentations to schools, businesses, civic clubs, and faith-based organizations. The program offers a series of educational presentations and written material to schools, businesses, faith based organizations, civic clubs, and Girl Scout troops across the state of TN.

The I.C. HOPE® - “Don’t Duck Mental Health” campaign serves to dispel the negative images associated with mental illness. The friendly face of the duck with its healing bandage promises to show that mental illness is not shameful or unusual, nor is it shameful to help those in need. His life preserver symbolizes that every life is worth saving. I.C. HOPE® takes the form of a six-foot character trained in mental health messages coupled with age-appropriate curriculums. Listen to I.C. HOPE®, the Ambassador of Mental Wellness, read a story to children, work with classmates to complete an activity, or make your own I.C. HOPE® puppet to take home and share with friends and family. Programming is tailored to meet the needs of the group. Contact Joanna Bane at [email protected] for more information or to book your presentation.


The Multicultural Outreach Program (MOP)

Helps immigrants and refugees access mental health providers and services, advocates for increased mental health services for Nashville’s foreign-born residents and builds coalitions with other agencies to create new resources. Additionally, MOP provides educational/support groups for Hispanic women and students. For more information on these services, contact Claudia Avila-Lopez at [email protected].


The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN)

Works across the state to teach communities effective suicide prevention/intervention techniques that can be used by parents, peers, educators and non-mental health professionals, with the ultimate intention of reducing suicide rates in the state of Tennessee. Visit www.tspn.org for more information.


The Tennessee Lives Count Project (TLC)

Is a statewide early intervention/prevention project intended to reduce suicides and suicide attempts for youth aged 10-24. The project targets youth at extreme risk for suicide, such as those in state custody, juvenile justice facilities, alternative schools, and special education programs; gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth; youth with disciplinary and/or truancy problems; and other high risk populations. The primary focus of TLC involves the training of gatekeepers—persons who work with and supervise youth and who are in a position to identify and help troubled and/or suicidal teens and young adults. These gatekeepers will receive training in an evidence-based intervention program that teaches ordinary citizens how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope to troubled individuals, connect them with the crisis response and mental health resources they need, and ultimately save lives. This training will prepare adults who work with children to identify and address prevention/intervention needs within high-risk populations.