Behavioral Health Resources

State-specific resources in Kentucky and Tennessee, and U.S. Nation-wide resources

Blue and white logo for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline icon.

If you feel suicidal, are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or feel you have an emergent psychiatric or other medical need, call 911 or your local crisis service. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24/7

The links provided will take you to other websites. The resources on this page are offered as a courtesy, and New Directions Psychiatry PLLC is not affiliated with these organizations and services. The information and content of other websites is governed by the privacy statements of those websites. Though attempts are made to keep this page updated, the availability or functionality of links, numbers, or resources below cannot be guaranteed. If you think you or someone you know may be having a medical or life-threatening behavioral health emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital immediately.

Scroll down for Kentucky, Tennessee, and Nation-wide resources.

Kentucky Resources:

  • Community mental health centers (CMHCs) are publicly funded to provide mental health services for the specific areas they serve. They often offer crisis services as well as services for those with serious and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia. A major function of CMHCs in Kentucky is providing care for individuals who, because of finances, disease severity, location or other barriers, would otherwise lack access to behavioral healthcare. Click here for the list of CMHC crisis numbers by Kentucky county.

  • Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities is part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Human Services. Their stated mission is to “provide leadership…to prevent disability, build resilience in individuals and their communities, and facilitate recovery for people whose lives have been affected by mental illness…” They include lists and contact numbers for CMHCs, crisis numbers, and other behavioral health resources in Kentucky: https://dbhdid.ky.gov/kdbhdid/default.aspx

Louisville, KY Area

  • Metro United Way works to improve communities in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana. “Calling 2-1-1 connects people to professionals trained to address diverse needs such as domestic violence, emergency shelter, clothing, legal aid, support groups, transportation, education, financial stability, health… and more.” The website includes lists of resources: https://metrounitedway.org/get-help-now/

  • LouieCONNECT (MyKY.info) helps connect individuals in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby, Bullitt, Spencer, Henry, and Trimble counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana with safety net services including health and mental health, housing, food assistance, jobs/education, financial and legal help, and other services. You can filter by individual demographics and location https://myky.info/#/ or by service https://myky.info/#/service-categories/all.

  • University of Louisville Emergency Psychiatry Services Located at 530 S. Jackson Street, 1st Floor of the UofL Hospital, Louisville, KY 40202. Phone: 502-562-3120. https://uoflhealth.org/locations/emergency-psychiatry-services/

Tennessee Resources:

  • The Tennessee Statewide Crisis line is available 24/7 by calling 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471) or text “TN” to 741-741

  • Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services website www.tn.gov/behavioral-health contains resources including information about crisis services, housing, treatment and recovery, and the Behavioral Safety Net Program for the uninsured in Tennessee. If it is not an emergency, but you are having trouble finding mental health or substance use services, the TDMHSAS Helpline is available by calling (800) 560-5767 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST or by email: oca.tdmhsas@tn.gov

  • Tennessee 2-1-1 is a service of the United Way that helps you find health and human services closest to you. The 211 service “connects people to professionals trained to address diverse needs such as domestic violence, emergency shelter, clothing, legal aid, support groups, transportation, education, financial stability, health… and more.” Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211. You can also find Tennessee resources at their website: tn211.myresourcedirectory.com

Nashville, TN Area

  • Vanderbilt Emergency Psychiatry Service is located in the Emergency Department of the Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232. https://www.vumc.org/psychiatry/emergency-psychiatry-service

  • The Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital offers adult walk-in crisis assessments provided by the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Assessment Service during certain hours for urgent/emergency mental health situations. See their website for walk-in hours: https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/program/psychiatric-assessment-service The Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital is located at 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. Phone: (615) 327-7000.

  • Middle Tennessee 2-1-1 is a service of the Metro United Way that helps you find health and human services closest to you. The 211 service “connects people to professionals trained to address diverse needs such as domestic violence, emergency shelter, clothing, legal aid, support groups, transportation, education, financial stability, health… and more.” Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 or visit the website for resources tn211.myresourcedirectory.com

National Resources:

  • The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the purpose of supporting people in distress or crisis, including loved ones concerned about a family member. Call or text 988. Online chat is available on the 988lifeline.org website. Deaf and hard of hearing may contact the Lifeline via TTY, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. Services are in English and Spanish, and Language Line Solutions provides translation services in over 250 additional languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only. See their website for more helpful resources: 988lifeline.org

  • Veterans Crisis Line dial 988 and press 1 or text 838255 for 24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones. Online chat available at: Home (veteranscrisisline.net)

  • RAINN: Rape Abuse + Incest National Network rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline (800) 656-HOPE (4673) Call to reach a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area that can provide confidential support, local resources, and referrals. The staff member can direct you to a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault including providing services like sexual assault forensic exams. Calls to this hotline are rerouted to a local organization based on phone number or zip code.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233) is free, confidential and availbale 24/7 in English, Spanish, and over 200 languages thorugh an interpreter service. If you cannot speak safely, visit thehotline.org or text START to 88788. You may also search the directory of local assistance providers here: www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/

  • StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) offers help for domestic violence and dating violence for Native Americans. Confidential and culturally appropriate helpline for peer support, safety planning, and resources including “a referral database of Native-centered service providers that include both Tribal and non-tribal service providers.” For more information or online chat option, visit their website: strongheartshelpline.org

  • The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline offers 24/7 free, confidential mental health support and counseling for moms and their families before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). Available in English and Spanish, and over 60 languages via an interpreter service. TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

  • SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, a 24/7, 365 day a year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Also available in Spanish and through an interpretation service, over 100 other languages. See the SAMHSA website for more disaster and crisis resources: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

  • “Friends for Survival” Suicide Loss Helpline (916) 392-0664 or Toll Free: (800) 646-7322 A national non-profit bereavement outreach organization available to those who are grieving a suicide death of family or friends. friendsforsurvival.org

  • The Trevor Project is a national organization providing 24/7, free, confidential crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under the age of 25. Call (866) 488-7386 or text START to 678-678. Online chat and resources available at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/

  • LGBT National Hotline (all ages) offering free, confidential peer support, information, and local resources. Contact by phone at (888) 843-4564 Check website for hours, the youth and senior line numbers, and peer support chat: www.lgbthotline.org

  • Physician Support Line at 1-888-409-0141 is a free, confidential, and anonymous hotline for physicians and medical students experiencing stressors in their life, not just crisis. Provides a safe space and emotional support, citing that they “report to no one.” Staffed by volunteer psychiatrists. See the website for more helpful resources: www.physiciansupportline.com/

  • Caregiver Help Desk at (855) 227-3640 provides information to assist with caregiving challenges between 8am to 7pm EST. See also the Caregiver Action Network website for resources and an online chat option: caregiveraction.org

  • 211.org is designed to connect you with community specialists who can provide information and local referrals for social services and other assistance. Information and resources they offer include help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare including mental health, disaster recovery, and more. Note that 211 information may not cover all areas in every state. 211 is operated by multiple organizations including United Ways, Community Action Partnerships, and other community organizations. “Calls are confidential and can be anonymous.” Call 211 or visit their website to find your local 211 for option to chat or text, and for online resources: www.211.org/about-us/your-local-211