TENNESSEE EXPANDS RURAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO CUMBERLAND COUNTY WITH NEW FEDERAL GRANT
Cumberland County is among several counties set to receive dedicated mental health and wellness services through an upcoming state expansion funded by a federal grant.
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is allocating a portion of a $10 million, five-year federal grant to bring its Co-located Mental Health Services at County Health Departments program to Cumberland County, alongside six other rural counties across the state.
What the Program Offers
The initiative places a master-level therapist and a peer wellness coach directly within local health departments. The team will lead community programs and provide one-on-one coaching focused on:
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Chronic disease and diabetes management
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Smoking cessation
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Personalized wellness goal setting
Accessibility and Timeline
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Target Launch: The state expects the new services to be up and running in early 2027.
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Availability: Program leaders aim to provide same-day availability five days a week.
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Cost: Services will be accessible regardless of insurance status, covering private insurance, TennCare, the Behavioral Health Safety Net, and uninsured residents.
State officials emphasize that taking a whole-body approach to mental health is crucial for reaching neighbors in need throughout rural Tennessee. While most referrals are anticipated to come from county health department workers, referrals from other sources will also be accepted.
