Mental Health in Tennessee

11 verified resources.

About Mental Health for Fathers

Mental health services in the US range from free crisis lines and public community mental health centers to private therapy and inpatient care. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline operates 24/7 nationwide and is free and confidential. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) connects callers with local treatment resources for mental health and substance use. Community Mental Health Centers exist in every state and serve people regardless of ability to pay, usually on sliding-scale fees. Medicaid covers mental health care in all states, and the ACA requires insurance plans to cover mental health at parity with medical care. Fathers are particularly at risk for undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and substance issues around separation and custody disputes — this directory surfaces crisis lines, low-cost therapy, support groups specifically for men, and state mental health authorities.

Mental Health in Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Memphis Area Legal Services, and West Tennessee Legal Services cover the state.

11 Resources

1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Tennessee) — Free

Call or text 988 for free, confidential 24/7 crisis support. Tennessee calls are routed to local crisis centers staffed by trained counselors who can provide immediate emotional support, safety planning, and referrals to Tennessee mental health resources. Serves anyone in suicidal, substance, or emotional crisis, including family members. No insurance, photo ID, or appointment is required; interpreters are available in multiple languages.

988 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Crisis Text Line — Free

Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling via text message from anywhere in Tennessee. Trained volunteer crisis counselors are available around the clock to help with suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, abuse, and other emotional emergencies. Serves youth and adults statewide. No insurance, photo ID, or appointment is required, and the service is available on any phone plan that supports SMS.

Text-based — national · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. NAMI Tennessee — Free

Statewide mental health advocacy organization offering free peer support groups, family education classes (Family-to-Family, NAMI Basics), a helpline, and community awareness programs. Serves individuals living with mental illness and their family members across Tennessee. Programs are open to the public; classes require pre-registration but no income verification or photo ID. NAMI Tennessee can also refer callers to local affiliates and community mental health providers.

615-361-6608 · 4523 Harding Pike, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37205 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. NAMI Davidson County (Nashville) — Free

Local NAMI affiliate serving Nashville with free peer-led support groups, Family-to-Family education classes, and mental health resource navigation. Serves individuals living with mental illness and family members in the Nashville area. Programs are open to the public with pre-registration for classes; no income verification, insurance, or photo ID is required. The affiliate can refer participants to local community mental health providers.

615-269-7751 · 85 White Bridge Rd, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37205 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. SAMHSA National Helpline — Free

Free, confidential 24/7 national helpline for mental health and substance use disorder treatment referrals in English and Spanish. Serves Tennessee residents who need help locating local treatment providers, support groups, and community services. No insurance, photo ID, or appointment is required to call. Callers speak with a trained information specialist who can provide referrals based on zip code, needs, and whether insurance or sliding fees are required.

1-800-662-4357 · National · 24/7 · Visit Website

6. Alliance Healthcare Services (Memphis) — Paid

Community mental health center serving Memphis and Shelby County with outpatient counseling, psychiatric care, medication management, and crisis stabilization services. Serves adults and youth with mental illness. New clients should call for an intake appointment and bring photo ID, insurance cards (including TennCare), and a list of current medications. Sliding-scale fees are available for qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients.

901-369-1400 · 3100 Walnut Grove Rd, Suite 400, Memphis, TN 38111 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Volunteer Behavioral Health (Chattanooga) — Paid

Regional behavioral health provider serving Southeast Tennessee with counseling, psychiatric services, case management, and community-based mental health programs for adults and youth. New clients should call for an intake appointment and bring photo ID, insurance cards (including TennCare), and a list of current medications. Sliding-scale fees are available for qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients across multiple Chattanooga-area locations.

423-490-5620 · Multiple Chattanooga-area locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. NAMI Memphis — Free

Local NAMI affiliate serving the Memphis area with free peer-led support groups, family education programs, and mental health resource navigation. Serves individuals living with mental illness and family members in Shelby County. Programs are open to the public; classes require pre-registration but no income verification, insurance, or photo ID. The affiliate can refer participants to local community mental health providers and crisis services.

901-529-5517 · Memphis, TN · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; support groups evenings · Visit Website

9. Tennessee Postpartum Support Helpline — Free

Support for parents (including fathers) experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, operated through Postpartum Support International. Connects Tennessee callers to local perinatal therapists and peer support. Serves new and expecting parents statewide. No insurance, photo ID, or appointment is required to call or text the helpline; volunteers can help identify local providers who accept TennCare or offer sliding-scale fees.

1-800-944-4773 · National hotline (text 503-894-9453) · 24/7 helpline · Visit Website

10. Open Path Collective - Tennessee Therapists — Paid

Nonprofit network of Tennessee therapists offering affordable therapy sessions (typically

0-$80) for individuals and couples without adequate insurance coverage. Serves adults statewide who cannot afford full private-pay rates. Users pay a one-time membership fee, search the online directory by city and specialty, and schedule directly with a therapist. Members should be ready to discuss income, insurance status, and treatment goals at the first session.

Online directory — search by TN city · Online 24/7; appointment-based · Visit Website

11. Psychology Today - Tennessee Therapist Finder — Paid

Comprehensive online directory of licensed therapists, psychologists, and counselors across Tennessee. Users can filter by specialty (family, trauma, substance use), insurance accepted (including TennCare), city, and sliding-scale availability. Serves adults and families statewide. Each listing shows credentials, fees, and contact information so users can call or email a provider directly to schedule an intake appointment and discuss insurance coverage.

Online directory · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

Mental Health — Common Questions

I'm in crisis right now — who do I call?
Dial or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7 nationwide. Veterans press 1. For non-crisis mental health support, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
How do I find a therapist I can afford?
Community Mental Health Centers (every state has them) charge on sliding-scale based on income. Medicaid covers therapy in all states. Private insurance must cover mental health at parity with medical care. Psychology Today's therapist finder lets you filter by insurance. Open Path Collective offers 0–$80 sessions.
Can therapy hurt my custody case?
Almost always no — judges view voluntarily-sought mental health treatment as responsible parenting. Therapists must keep sessions confidential (with narrow exceptions: child abuse disclosure, imminent self-harm). Court-ordered evaluations are different from voluntary therapy.
Is there support specifically for men?
Yes. Face It Foundation, HeadsUpGuys, Men's Sheds, and Man Therapy run men-focused programs. Many community mental health centers run men-only groups. Fatherhood programs often include peer support as part of their model.