The existing Treatment Access Bank serves metro Knox County with great success. It has matched more than 200 disadvantaged county residents with treatment providers for 15 therapy sessions, funded by the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee. Earlier access to care has prevented these clients from incurring $4.8M in crisis, emergency, or hospital-based care.

Building on its existing model, the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee will analyze mental health needs in rural communities for implementation in East Tennessee. Seventy-five percent of all mental illness onsets occur by age 24, with most persons experiencing a decade of treatment delay from symptom onset to treatment entry. However, rural residents are disproportionately impacted by a lack of insurance, reduced income, transportation barriers, and limited access to mental health providers. Additionally, rural residents are more likely to be residents of ALICE Households where assets and limited income force households to prioritize basic necessities before essential healthcare. Delayed treatment fosters worsening symptoms and greater impairment.