Tennessee Funding Priorities

Overdose prevention funding - Tennessee

There were 107,968 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2022 (34.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population), a 1.2% increase from 2021.1

• There were 3,825 overdose deaths in Tennessee in 20222
• There were 56.0 overdose deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted) in Tennessee in 20222

Overdose prevention programs

• Overdose Data to Action in States
  • Tennessee Department of Health: $5,343,696
• Overdose Data to Action: LOCAL
  • Knox County Health Department: $1,320,505
• Public Health and Public Safety
  • Overdose Response Strategy: $87,600*

*average award amount

Examples of how Tennessee is working to prevent overdose

Virtual overdose fatality reviews

Under the state's Overdose Response Strategy Team, the Metro Drug Coalition partnered with Knox County Public Health and Public Safety to pilot the development and use of a virtual telehealth platform to host Overdose Fatality Review Team meetings. This adaptation allowed critical work to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Substance use disorder linkage to care in emergency departments

Tennessee improved emergency department-initiated treatment for patients with substance use disorder. A workgroup of community partners and clinical leaders from 17 emergency departments hired Tennessee Recovery Navigators to champion treatment for patients with substance use disorder within hospitals. More than 200 patients were identified, and more than 100 individuals were connected to treatment and/or social services.

Data to inform prevention

Tennessee developed a dashboard for state officials to identify areas at high risk for drug overdose across the state. This information is critical because it can be used to direct resources, prevention activities, and education for higher community-level impact.

Suicide prevention funding - Tennessee

• There were 1,245 suicide deaths in Tennessee in 2022
• There were 16.7 suicide deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted) in Tennessee in 2022

Suicide prevention programs

• Comprehensive Suicide Prevention
  • Tennessee Department of Health: $883,000

Tennessee's suicide prevention priorities

Tennessee is preventing suicide with CDC Injury Center funding by:A

• Creating protective environments
• Teaching coping and problem-solving skills
• Identifying and supporting people at risk
• Strengthening access and delivery of suicide care

Some groups have higher suicide rates than others. To address disparities, Tennessee is focusing on:

• Residents of all rural counties, specifically men and people aged 15-64 living in rural counties

Examples of how Tennessee is working to prevent suicide

Expanding trainings

The Tennessee Department of Health is expanding its Be the One gatekeeper training program, which is specifically designed to increase the workforce staff's ability to identify suicide warning signs among co-workers and refer them to appropriate resources.

Educating the public

The Tennessee Department of Health is funding the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network to develop and promote education for providers and the public about the mental health parity laws. These laws ensure that health insurance coverage for mental-health related visits is on par with coverage for physical health-related visits.