Prioritize Your Mental Wellness: Expert Tips & Local Behavioral Health Resources in Middle Tennessee
December 17, 2025
By Dr. Mihika Batavia, Behavioral Health Medical Director at Highpoint Health – Sumner
When you think about your overall health, what first comes to mind? For many—if not most—of us, it's likely our physical health. Am I eating healthy? Am I exercising regularly? Am I feeling tired or ill? Do my joints ache? Have I scheduled my annual check-up?
All these questions are, of course, important to answer, but there’s another vital question we should be asking ourselves: How is my mental health?
Your mental health has a tremendous impact on your overall health and well-being. Our mental health includes our thoughts, emotions, feelings, and moods. It influences our choices, actions, and how we relate to others. Good mental health is the foundation that allows us to cope with stress, succeed professionally, recover more effectively from difficult situations, and be our best self with professional and personal goals.
The Common Challenge of Mental Wellness
It's important to understand that maintaining balanced mental health can often be a challenge, and mental health conditions are quite common. According to statistics published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness. In Tennessee, over 937,000 adults have a mental condition, highlighting the pressing need for local, high-quality behavioral health services.
If you are struggling with a mental health condition, you are definitely not alone. It is crucial to know that it is okay to speak up and ask for help. The benefits of seeking professional treatment can make a profoundly positive difference in your overall health and quality of life.
8 Steps to Boost Your Mental Wellness
In addition to professional mental health care, there are some actionable steps you can take at home and in your daily life to improve mental wellness:
Meditate & Breathe: Meditation can help relax your mind and body. Even one minute of quiet focus can make a difference. Practice deep breathing to give your brain and muscles the necessary oxygen.
Take Care of Your Body: Regular exercise helps burn anxious energy, prevents muscle tension, and releases mood-boosting endorphins. Exercise does not have to be at a gym. Take a walk, dance in the living room – just get your heart rate up!
Eat Healthy: Focus on nutrition. Avoiding processed and high-fat foods helps prevent feelings of lethargy, lack of motivation, and poor concentration.
Engage Your Brain: Learn a new skill or engage in a new activity. Challenging your brain promotes healthy stimulation and mental wellness.
Connect with Others: Make time for family and friends. Building and maintaining healthy relationships is crucial for long-term mental well-being. Ditch toxic relationships that make you feel bad about yourself.
Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you're getting the sleep your mind and body needs. Quality sleep prevents fatigue and ensures you have the energy and mindset to navigate tomorrow.
Journaling/Expression: Writing down thoughts and feelings or making art can be a powerful way to process emotions and reduce stress.
Being Out in Direct Sunlight/ Light Therapy: Exposure to natural sunlight is a powerful mood booster, as it stimulates the production of Serotonin and helps your body synthesize essential Vitamin D. Try to spend at least 10–15 minutes outside daily to positively impact your mood and circadian rhythm.
Local Mental Health Services at Highpoint Health
Your mental health is a valuable and vital part of your well-being; make sure you're giving it the care and attention it needs so you can be your best self.
If you think that you or someone you know may be suffering from a mental health condition, Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas can help. We provide dedicated behavioral health services such as:
Geriatric Inpatient Services for high-quality, evidence-based treatment are available at our Sumner and Riverview facilities.
Outpatient Geriatric Services (Senior Life Solutions) for ongoing support and recovery in Hartsville and Carthage.
A team of compassionate Primary Care providers serving all ages across northern Middle Tennessee.
Emergency Services – For emergency behavioral health situations, your closest ER can help stabilize a patient in crisis and connect them with appropriate mental health care based on the patient’s needs and resources.
To learn more about receiving quality behavioral health care, close to home, visit the Highpoint Health Behavioral Health.
To schedule an assessment for inpatient treatment, call Highpoint Health – Sumner at 615.328.5418, Highpoint Health – Riverview at 615.735.5211 or Highpoint Health – Winchester at 931.967.8333.
Additionally, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free and confidential support 24/7. Text or dial 988 for anyone experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress.