Processes for Referral to a Regional Mental Health Institute
A recent change in Tennessee’s mental health law (Title 33) makes all admissions to the State’s Regional Mental Health Institutes (RMHIs)* subject to the availability of suitable accommodations (i.e., an appropriate bed). This means that admissions to a RMHI will be delayed if the facility does not have such a bed. Thus, transportation to a RMHI should not occur without written verification that an appropriate bed is available at the RMHI. Based on the current overall bed capacity of the RMHIs, we do not anticipate that there will be difficulties in accessing a bed at a RMHI. However, as RMHI beds are reduced during FY 09/10, there may be times during which there may be delays in accessing an RMHI bed, but the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is committed to making every effort possible to minimize such delays.
RMHI Referral Processes Links
Governor Bill Haslam
