Best Mental Health in Tennessee — 15 resources

About Mental Health for Women

Mental health services for women range from the free 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to community mental health centers, sliding-scale therapists, and inpatient care. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) provides 24/7 referrals, and the Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov) maintains resources on postpartum depression, anxiety, trauma, and perimenopausal mental health. Medicaid covers behavioral health in all states, and ACA plans must cover mental health at parity with medical care. Postpartum Support International (1-800-944-4773) connects new and expecting mothers with trained providers. This directory surfaces crisis lines, low-cost therapy, women's support groups, and state mental health authorities.

Mental Health in Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, Memphis Area Legal Services, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence serve women.

15 Resources

1. Tennessee Department of Mental Health — Free

Statewide mental health services and crisis support for women. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

615-532-6500 · 500 Deaderick St, Nashville, TN 37243 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

2. Mental Health Cooperative - Nashville

Comprehensive mental health counseling and psychiatric services for women in Nashville. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

615-726-3340 · 275 Cumberland Bend Dr, Nashville, TN 37228 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Alliance Healthcare Services - Memphis

Women-focused behavioral health services including therapy and medication management in Memphis. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

901-369-1400 · 889 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. NAMI Tennessee — Free

Support groups, education, and mental health advocacy for women and families in Nashville. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

615-361-6608 · 4506 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN 37204 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Pathways Behavioral Health - Jackson

Mental health counseling and crisis services for women in Jackson. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric referrals. Sliding-scale fees and insurance options are often available; call for current intake hours. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

731-541-8200 · 238 Summar Dr, Jackson, TN 38301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free

Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support 24/7 anywhere in the US. Trained counselors help women experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or mental health crises. Online chat available at 988lifeline.org. No insurance required; counselors speak multiple languages.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. SAMHSA National Helpline — Free

Free 24/7 confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) in English or Spanish for referrals to local treatment facilities and support groups. No insurance required and calls are fully confidential.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. NAMI HelpLine — Free

Free peer support and resource referral line from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text NAMI to 741741, or chat at nami.org. Staffed by trained volunteers with lived mental illness experience.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Mental Health America — Free

Free anonymous online screening tools for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, plus a local affiliate directory in every state. Visit mhanational.org for personalized guidance on next steps.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. MentalHealth.gov — Free

Official US government mental health information hub covering conditions, treatments, crisis resources, and how to find local help. Free 24/7 at mentalhealth.gov.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Postpartum Support International — Free

PSI provides a helpline at 1-800-944-4773, a provider directory, and peer support for women experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, or pregnancy loss. Free virtual support groups and coordinator referrals available.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Crisis Text Line — Free

Free 24/7 text-based crisis support. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Ideal for women in situations where a phone call is not safe. Confidential and available anywhere in the US.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Therapy for Black Girls — Free

Online therapist directory and mental wellness community created to support Black women and girls. Search for culturally competent therapists by location and specialty at therapyforblackgirls.com.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many mental health resources are in Tennessee?
Women's Corner tracks 15 mental health resources for women in Tennessee.
Are mental health resources in Tennessee free?
12 of the 15 listed mental health resources in Tennessee are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Tennessee have mental health resources?
Listings span cities including Nashville, Memphis, Jackson.
What are some examples of mental health resources in Tennessee?
Featured entries include Tennessee Department of Mental Health, Mental Health Cooperative - Nashville, Alliance Healthcare Services - Memphis, NAMI Tennessee, Pathways Behavioral Health - Jackson.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 15 Tennessee mental health listings include phone numbers.
I'm in crisis right now — who do I call?
Dial or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7. For substance use or mental health referrals, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. If you're a woman in immediate danger from a partner, also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
How do I find a therapist I can afford?
Community Mental Health Centers in every state offer sliding-scale therapy based on income. Medicaid covers therapy in all 50 states. Open Path Collective offers
0–$80 sessions nationwide. Psychology Today's directory filters by insurance, sliding scale, and women's issues. Many universities offer free counseling through graduate training clinics.
Will going to therapy hurt my custody case?
Almost never — judges view voluntarily seeking mental health care as responsible parenting. Therapy records are confidential except for narrow exceptions (child abuse disclosure, imminent self-harm). If your ex tries to use your therapy against you, courts routinely reject that argument. Court-ordered evaluations are different and you should have an attorney.
Is there mental health support for postpartum depression?
Yes. Postpartum Support International (1-800-944-4773 or text 'Help' to 800-944-4773) runs a free helpline and connects you to local providers specializing in perinatal mood disorders. Most OB/GYNs screen for PPD and can prescribe or refer. Medicaid covers PPD treatment, and many states extended postpartum Medicaid to 12 months.