Tag Archives: Mental Health

18 months into the COVID pandemic and professionals are seeing a major impact on the mental health of adolescents. The CDC recently reported a 24 percent increase in emergency room visits for kids ages 5 to 11 related to mental health emergencies. In kids aged 12-17, there was a 31 percent increase due to depression or anxiety. Local pediatric occupational ... Read More »

A one-stop shop of resources for veterans and their families. That’s what organizers are calling McMinnville’s Veterans Resource Day on Thursday, July 29th. Warren County Veterans Service Officer David Smith said the event serves to help veterans learn about all the resources available to them. “I mean there are things out there that even myself, I’m not aware of or ... Read More »

Friday concludes the Putnam County school year for its Social Emotional Wellness Coordinator. Shelia Barker said it was quite a year to start helping with the school staff. Barker said being in-person from the beginning was a big help. “I think teachers have done a great job trying to do their best with the curriculum and providing for needs of ... Read More »

The Putnam County School system is seeing younger and younger students experiencing mental health issues. Director of Schools Corby King said having a $250 million dollar investment from the state into student mental health services will help expand what the system already does. King said this issue predates the pandemic, but has been heightened during it. “We are fortunate in ... Read More »

Thursday’s possible severe weather may be causing you more apprehension than normal. Tennessee Tech Licensed Professional Counselor Shonta Kyees said it is common for such a reaction in the aftermath of last year’s tornado. Kyees said fears vary on exactly why a storm causes distress, but we should focus on what we can and cannot control. “We can’t control when ... Read More »

The Overton County School System will have a new mental health liaison after this spring break. This comes from an expansion of the state’s Behavioral Health Liaison program last year. Interim Director of Schools Donnie Holman said the position will work hand in hand with students and staff for any counseling needs. “They’ll help our students to be successful in ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech’s Counseling Department is seeing two distinct changes among its student population. Assistant Director of Counseling Services Dr. Christina Mick said the stigma around acknowledging mental health is decreasing, and the use of counseling services are increasing. Mick said during a previous grant report, statistics showed a 160 percent increase in services. “There’s also an increase in anxiety and ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech has another online tool to help promote mental health for its students. Assistant Director of Counseling Services Dr. Christina Mick said the app WellTrack helps monitor day-to-day wellness, provides mental health screening and mood trackers. Mick said using WellTrack is about Tech continuing to fill any remaining gaps and preventing mental health crises. “There’s a direct link, a ... Read More »

A pilot program between Cookeville and UCHRA’s Substance Abuse Solutions test program will expire in January. City Manager James Mills said an extension is worth considering. Mills said the city is satisfied with the program allowing Cookeville police to do more policing, and less social work. “Yeah, I definitely think it’s something we’ll consider if UCHRA-SAS is agreeable to it,” ... Read More »

The state has extended mental health benefits to uninsured children. Dale Hallow Mental Health Center Director Anne Stamps said the need has increased. “We are seeing some more anxiety and some more depression in our kids,” Stamps said. “Right now, probably about one in five of our kids have depressive symptoms.” The Behavioral Health Safety Net program offers essential mental ... Read More »