Do You Need Help NOW? Are You in a CRISIS?
Sometimes things feel really hard or scary. A crisis is when you or someone you care about is feeling unsafe or overwhelmed. This could mean:
- Feeling very sad, angry, or upset and not knowing what to do.
- Thinking about hurting yourself or someone else.
- Big changes in behavior that feel out of control.
- Needing help right away for mental health or disability needs.
If you or someone you love is in a crisis, don’t wait to get help. This page is here to connect you with emergency services and support for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Mental Health needs.
Help is ready when you need it. Take the first step and reach out now!
Emergency Supports
- Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line: Call 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471)
The Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day/365 days a year, is a resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. All calls are routed to a trained crisis counselor in your area, who will provide you support and guidance, and work to connect you with appropriate community supports. - TDMHSAS Helpline: Call 800-560-5767
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST
(615) 532-6700
Email: oca.tdmhsas@tn.gov - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. -
Unity Psychiatric Care provides mental health care for adults, especially aging adults, who are dealing with serious mental health crises. These crises may be caused by dementia, medication issues, or a psychotic episode. Their team focuses on creating a safe, supportive environment to help patients manage or reduce symptoms like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia or delusions
- Hallucinations
- Mood swings or mania
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Aggression (verbal or physical)
- Problems with eating, sleeping, or hygiene
When to Call:
If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health symptoms, call Unity Psychiatric Care anytime, 24/7. Their team is ready to help and can start the evaluation process right away.
For Managing a Non-Emergency Crisis (Non-Emergent Crisis Stabilization Support), click this link.
You can find more help in the Resource Guide, which is full of tools, information, and services to support individuals and families with IDD/Mental Health Dual Diagnosis. Explore the guide to discover resources that meet your needs!
If you need more help or have questions, please reach out to Pathfinder! You can contact us by phone at 800-640-4636, email TNPathfinder@vumc.org, or on our website via live chat. We’re here to support you.