Governor Bill Lee and TDMHSAS Celebrate March 10, 2024 as Tennessee's Day of Hope
New rankings highlight state’s progress in providing services to change livesNASHVILLE, Tenn.— Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed March 10, 2024 as Tennessee’s Day of Hope. The annual commemoration comes as recent reports highlight Tennessee’s improving rankings in prevalence of behavioral health challenges and access to services.
The Day of Hope is a celebration of the role of hope in recovery for people living with mental illness and substance use challenges. Community behavioral health partners that work with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) including Substance Use Prevention Coalitions, Community Mental Health Providers, Faith-Based Community Coordinators, Lifeline Peer Project Coordinators, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists, and more have planned events on and around the Day of Hope. 2023 Marks the fifth annual celebration.
Link: Read Governor Bill Lee’s proclamation for Tennessee’s Day of Hope
“Although there have been increases in anxiety and depression over the last few years, the thing that hasn’t changed is the power of hope for people who are struggling. The amazing thing in Tennessee is we have the resources and the services to back up that hope and empower people to make real change and attain the lives they want,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW. “We’re so excited to see that the investments by Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly have led to improving rankings highlighted in recent reports.”
Recently published reports show Tennessee is improving services to meet the need and feed the hope for change. One report ranked Tennessee #1 overall for Youth Mental Health Care. The top overall ranking based on access to and cost of mental health care and lower rates of mental health issues among Tennessee youth. Another report highlighted Tennessee as the 7th best state in meeting the mental health treatment needs of adults and 11th best for prevalence of mental illness.
Day of Hope events vary across the state with many featuring motivational speakers, connection to community-based treatment and recovery supports, and substance use prevention resources including overdose reversal training and naloxone distribution. At the state level, the leadership for the Day of Hope comes from the TDMHSAS Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and Office of Prevention and Early Intervention Services.
Link: Find a Day of Hope Event Near You
“One of the key things we talk about in our Faith-Based Initiative is bringing hope to the hurting. Hope is such an easily understood concept that resonates with people of all faiths, so it just makes sense to celebrate it and use it to build people up for the change they want to make for themselves and their families,” said James Harper, TDMHSAS Director of Faith-Based Initiatives.
Learn more about the TDMHSAS Faith-Based Initiative and other services available on our website at TN.gov/behavioral-health