Across Tennessee, tens of thousands of children, adults, and families are struggling with untreated mental health conditions, generational trauma, and the crushing stressors of poverty. These challenges aren't isolated. They ripple outward into classrooms, workplaces, and communities, driving up costs for schools, healthcare systems, and taxpayers.

• Nearly 4 in 10 Tennessee adults report symptoms of anxiety or depression, a rate higher than the national average.
• Tennessee ranks among the top 10 states for both mental illness prevalence and limited access to care, with rural areas facing extreme shortages. Some counties have only one provider for every 6,800 residents.
• Half of U.S. children experience at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), such as abuse, neglect, parental incarceration, or household addiction. These events significantly increase the risk of depression, chronic illness, academic failure, and economic instability in adulthood.

Without intervention, these factors create self-perpetuating cycles. A child raised in a home with untreated trauma often becomes an adult struggling to parent, compounding stress for future generations. The economic burden is staggering: mental health crises lead to ER overuse, workforce disruptions, and public system strain—costing far more than preventive, community-based care.

Breaking the Cycle: What Works

While the challenges are immense, they're not insurmountable. Communities that invest in supportive relationships, consistent care, and trauma-informed programs see healthier families, stronger schools, and reduced long-term costs. Research shows that positive childhood experiences (PCEs)—stable routines, caring adults, and trusted community connections—can dramatically lower the risks tied to early adversity, reducing the likelihood of depression and poor health by as much as 72%. By pairing these protective factors with accessible, family-centered mental health services, Tennessee can not only help families heal but also prevent future crises before they begin.

How TN Voices Responds

TN Voices, now united with Nurture the Next, is Tennessee's collaborative leader in mental health and family well-being. Each year, we serve thousands of children, parents, and adults across all 95 counties with services that prevent crisis, heal trauma, and build long-term stability, including:

• School-based and outpatient counseling for children and teens.
• Peer and clinical support for adults, addressing trauma, depression, and substance use.
• Family-centered services, including caregiver therapy, parenting coaching, and early childhood home visiting.
• Housing stabilization and wraparound programs to keep families intact and prevent system involvement.
• Advocacy and education to reduce stigma, expand access, and change the policies that perpetuate inequity.

Our model works because it's whole-family, trauma-informed, and community-driven. By healing parents alongside their children, providing critical resources like housing and mental health support, and advocating for systemic change, TN Voices helps families thrive and communities grow stronger.

Why Support Matters

Every dollar invested in early and ongoing mental health care saves many more in downstream costs—from emergency room visits to social services. More importantly, it helps Tennesseans lead stable, connected, and fulfilling lives. Together, we can ensure every person regardless of zip code or income has the tools and support they need to build resilience and break cycles of trauma.

TN Voices is building hope for all. Your partnership helps us turn that vision into reality.