In response to the increased levels of anxiety, depression and drug abuse among children in Tennessee, there is a pioneering scheme that has been set up within the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
It was October, when Beth Goodner assumes the groundbreaking role of Assistant Commissioner.
It is a major step towards leadership in mental health services specifically designed for children and young people in Tennessee.
Goodner has vast experience from her previous position as CEO of TrustPoint Hospital, Murfreesboro, making her fit for her current essential position.
With such an important assignment she should be able to manage a considerable team and enormous yearly budget that exceeds $40 million.
This huge financial allocation is aimed at providing children and their families with essential assistance through different youth mental health services available all over Tennessee.
In her first public appearance after being confirmed, Goodner was keen on one thing: There are treatment alternatives for common child mental health problems like depression, trauma and anxiety.
This is a powerful statement that shows how important it is to face these issues head-on while they are still in their infancy.
This interview reveals that these common mental illnesses are treatable and paves way for her dream of developing the state’s healthy minds among the younger population.
She also underlined mental illness as an important part of overall health while insisting upon a possibility to treat them since reaching mental wellness is an achievable objective.
On this note, it is fundamental for her strategy on how to improve the mental health of young people in Tennessee involves identifying those at risk early enough while providing them with adequate resources and coping tools.
In particular she stated that one main goal would be funding behavioral school-based health liaisons in all schools statewide as planned by Commissioner.
She therefore expressed hope that each individual school will be dedicated towards this initiative which has been identified as critical to addressing student’s mental health issues. “
At present there are about 274 approved positions for behavioral health liaisons throughout the state.
For example, this department aims at getting 114 extra positions funded during this budget cycle indicating concerted attempts at expanding accessibility of mental support in schools.
Furthermore, these programs include initiatives funded by Division of Children and Youth Mental Health Services which aim at identifying children struggling with emotional disorders so they can be referred for necessary treatment.
There are also educational programs which help children understand how to manage themselves in times of crisis.
According to Goodner’s perspective, the basic strategy involves constantly identifying the areas where children need assistance with functioning and providing necessary resources for them.
It is equally important to empower parents and educators so that they can support young people who face mental health issues.
Nonetheless, what Goodner stressed is that strengthening children’s mental health is not a job of a single person, team or department.
It requires all Tennesseans to come together and make it their number one priority as they address this urgent situation affecting youth mental health.
Therefore, Tennessee’s approach to addressing these mental health issues among children has taken several forms.
In addition to school-based initiatives, the state has also expanded its mental health courts from just three courts to an impressive seventeen courts indicating diverse efforts towards solving these problems across different communities.
In its efforts toward comprehensive youth mental health support, Tennessee takes a lead in this by setting a benchmark on how collaborative efforts and committed resources can tackle pressing child-related challenges in modern society.
The comprehensive approach, spearheaded by Beth Goodner and supported by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, is like a lighthouse securing the future generation’s wellness and mental stability.
