Mental health issues are on the rise for everyone, but especially for children.
Last October, a coalition of health professionals from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children's Hospital Association issued an urgent warning declaring the mental health crisis among children a national emergency.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as reported in an NPR article, in 2020, the percentage of emergency department mental health visits rose by 24% for children ages 5-11 and 31% for those 12-17.
The crisis is likely a result of stress brought on by the pandemic, which may have worsened issues such as depression, anxiety or loneliness, the coalition wrote in their declaration.
Do you have a family member who is struggling?
From autism to ADHD, from gender identity to general mental health issues, here is a local guide to getting help.
*referral needed
AUTISM (Assessment/Diagnosis)
Autism Center of Chattanooga
1400 McCallie Ave. #100
423-531-6961
chattanoogaautismcenter.org
Focus Psychiatric Services
6400 Lee Highway
423-899-5081
facebook.com/focuspsychiatricservices
Chattanooga Pediatrics
3328 Jenkins Road,. Suite 200
423-825-4040
chattanoogapeds.com
*Agape Youth Behavioral Health
1360 Mackey Branch Drive
423-443-3336
ADHD (Assessment/Diagnosis)
Speech Language Reading Center
5819 Winding Lane Suite #105
Hixson, Tennessee
423-877-5042
chattanoogaspeech.com
*Siskin Children's Institute -- Center for Developmental Pediatrics
1101 Carter St.
423-490-7710
siskin.org
GENDER IDENTITY
Journey Psychotherapy Center
5721 Marlin Road, Suite #3800
423-521-5678
chattanoogatherapy.com/
CRISIS WALK-IN CENTERS--FACE TO FACE EVALUATIONS
Volunteer Behavioral Health--Chattanooga Campus
413 Spring St.
800-704-2651
423-634-8884
vbhcs.org/
Mental Health Cooperative of Chattanooga
801 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Suite 101
423-697-5950
mhc-tn.org/
MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
AIM Center
472 West MLK Blvd.
423-624-4800
aimcenterinc.org/
Cherokee Health Systems
5600 Brainerd Road
423-266-4588
cherokeehealth.com
Helen Ross McNabb
Hamilton County Child and Adolescent Center
6055 Shallowford Road
423-266-6751
mcnabbcenter.org/our-locations/hamilton-county-children-youth-center
Center for a Brighter Tomorrow
7372 Applegate Lane
423-994-7264
ADDICTION/REHAB
Scholze Center for Adolescents Recovery Needs
911 Pineville Road
cadas.org/adolescent-residential-2/
HOUSING SERVICES
Chattanooga Room In The Inn (for homeless women and children)
230 North Highland Park Ave.
chattanoogaroomintheinn.com/
Chattanooga Rescue Mission (food, shelter and emergency overnight shelter as well as help with drug and alcohol addictions)
1512 South Holtzclaw Ave.
423-756-3126
chattanoogarescuemission.com
Shepherd's Arms Rescue Mission (for homeless women with children)
4012 West Ave.
423-821-8363
shepherdsarms.org/
Youth Villages (residential treatment for children and adolescents, mental health and crisis services)
6236 Airpark Drive, Suite A
423-954-8890
SUICIDE
Chattanooga Suicide Hotlines:
423-552-4636
423-622-5193
423-266-4862
Text 988