Admissions Process

Individuals can be admitted to one of Tennessee’s four Mental Health Institutes on an emergency basis or by court order.

Prior to any admission, they must undergo a screening process by a Crisis Services professional who will determine the need for hospitalization. Once the individual is deemed certified for hospitalization, transportation is provided by the local county sheriff’s department. When they arrive at the Mental Health Institute, a second certification is performed by a physician to verify the individual meets the criteria for an emergency admission.