Tennessee Adds Mental Health Clinicians in Seven Counties
The state plans to use a $10 million federal grant to place mental health clinicians in seven rural counties.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Mental Health
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Tennessee is using part of a $10 million federal grant to expand the Co-located Mental Health Services at County Health Departments program in Anderson, Cumberland, Hawkins, Bradley, Coffee, Montgomery, and Tipton Counties. The program is planned to begin services in early 2027.
Why it matters
The program places a master-level therapist and a peer wellness coach within county health departments to address mental health alongside diabetes management, smoking cessation, and chronic disease care. Services are available regardless of payor source, including private insurance, TennCare, the Behavioral Health Safety Net, and uninsured individuals, which may widen access for residents of rural Tennessee.
The program is funded by a $10 million federal grant disbursed over five years through the Promoting Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care program, covering seven rural counties. No baseline service volume or outcome comparator has been published, and projected referral numbers are not yet available.
The players
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The state agency that receives the federal grant and administers mental health and substance use programs statewide.
The details
Referrals are expected to come mostly from county health department workers, and the program targets same-day availability five days a week. Coaches offer one-on-one support to help people reach wellness goals.
Timeline
Over the next five years, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services receives the $10 million grant.
Services are planned to start in early 2027 in the seven participating counties.
Health Landscape
The Tennessee effort applies the federal Promoting Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care program to rural county health departments, extending a model that pairs behavioral health with primary care services. It places the state among the jurisdictions adapting that federal framework to bring mental health support into everyday community clinics.
Residents in the seven participating counties may be able to see a mental health clinician at their county health department, regardless of whether they have private insurance, TennCare, or no insurance. Referrals will mostly come through county health department staff once services begin in early 2027.
The takeaway
Tennessee residents in rural counties who manage conditions like diabetes or smoking may soon be able to access mental health support at their local health department. Asking county health staff about referrals is a practical first step once services open.
Further reading
Explore more on Mental Health coverage across Tennessee.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WATE 6 On Your Side.
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