Help save behavioral health services for Hamilton County students!

During the August 21, 2025 Hamilton County Board of Education meeting, the Board voted not to continue the MOU with Centerstone to provide school-based counseling for students. These services have been in place with Hamilton County for more than a decade and are offered at no cost to the student, their family, or the school district. These are critical support services for these students and are often the only realistic behavioral health services available to them. We are actively working to get the Board to reconsider their actions, but we need your help. The voices of the community speak volumes louder than ours. Here are some of the reasons we do what we do:

• Youth mental health needs are real and urgent. About 1 in 5 children ages 3–17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral condition, and nearly 20% of high school students seriously considered suicide in 2023.    
• School-based therapy helps students succeed. Students receiving services at school are more likely to have better attendance, higher test scores, and stronger social skills, while showing reductions in suspension rates and aggression. 
• Access matters. Adolescents are 21 times more likely to seek help in a school-based setting compared to outpatient clinics, making schools one of the most effective points of access for care. 
• Removing barriers. Many families face transportation, scheduling, or financial challenges. By providing care in schools, we reduce these barriers and make it easier for students and families to get the support they need.    
• Partnerships and collaboration are essential. Our work succeeds when parents, teachers, and providers collaborate to help students reach their full potential.

From the 2025 Suicide Prevention Annual Report issued by the Tennessee Department of Health:

• Hamilton County experienced the most notable increase in suicide, rising by 56%. 
• Suicidal ideation is highest among Tennesseans aged 10-17 and has increased by 24%, from 936.2 per 100,000 population in 2019 to 1159.3 per 100,000 population in 2023. 

From the 2024 Report, Connecting the Dots: Mental Health and Student Success in Tennessee:

• Hamilton County has the #2 and #3 most vulnerable zip codes in the entire state of Tennessee. 

We need your help in advocating for students!