While families prepare to send their children back to school, many educators are already back in their buildings. And even though large-scale pandemic disruptions are in the rearview, principals say some COVID-related trends continue to cause challenges.
Disability advocates raise concerns over Jillian’s Law that would change involuntary commitment in TN
A bill headed to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk would make it so anyone deemed unfit to stand trial would be automatically committed.
Involuntary commitment laws could change in Tennessee. A forensic psychiatrist weighs the pros and cons.
Since the shooting death of a Belmont University freshman in the fall, lawmakers have been re-thinking Tennessee’s laws around involuntary commitment and access to firearms.
Tennessee ranks in the bottom 5 states for psychiatric bed space, report finds
Tennessee ranks in the bottom five states for psychiatric bed space, according to a new report by the Treatment Advocacy Center.
What bipartisan interest in involuntary commitment means for the system’s most vulnerable
In a rare show of bipartisanship, Tennessee’s statehouse and Nashville’s city hall are pushing for a change to state law that would make it easier to detain people who are deemed a threat to themselves or others. But experts say that could leave the criminal justice system’s most vulnerable at greater risk.
Tennessee lawmakers look forward to January after dissatisfying special session
When Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee called for a special session on public safety, he left out a chance for any gun reform legislation to be passed. With that off the table, Republican lawmakers focused on bills related to mental health and juvenile sentencing. Now, session is over, and many feel not enough was done.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee calls for special session on ‘public safety.’ Democrats say it will do more harm than good.
The special session focused on public safety is officially happening. It’s set to begin Aug. 21 — as expected. Gov. Bill Lee is asking lawmakers to focus on preventing violent crime, but Democrats say it misses the mark.
A new Tennessee law aims to help firefighters suffering from PTSD
Firefighters are exposed to traumatic events throughout their career, making them more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. In Tennessee, that disorder isn’t considered work-related, which means firefighters’ workers compensation is unlikely to cover it. A new law can help.
Nashville launches first non-police response program for mental health emergency calls
There are about 100 emergency calls each week in Davidson County where an ambulance responds unnecessarily. These are typically mental health calls in which people wind up in an emergency room, when they could have been connected with a counselor instead.
Teens’ mental health took a dive during the pandemic. Here’s how Rutherford County Schools is trying to help.
Student mental health worsened during the pandemic. Now Middle Tennessee schools are working to support students still battling with things like depression and self-harm.
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