NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Tennessee has the least amount of psychiatric beds available since 1993, according to a new report.
It’s raising questions about a new proposed legislation meant to change the state’s involuntary commitment rules, and whether or not the state has the beds available to support its goal.
“The psychiatric beds have been a topic of conversation across the county, but especially here recently in Tennessee and maybe an even higher intensity here in Nashville,” explained Elliot Pinsly ,Behavioral Health Foundation’s CEO.
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The Behavioral Health Foundation is a local nonprofit research center that focuses on mental health and addiction.
The report shows how the number of beds has slowly been decreasing through the decades. Between 2016 and 2023, there was a 9% decrease.
However, advocates like Pinsly said the data only shows one side of a complicated issue.