Knox County leaders desperate to add mental health care face a new setback

Gov. Bill Lee declined to endorse a state-financed mental health care expansion in Knoxville, but proponents have hope the money will come together for a part of the state they say is vastly underserved.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Data shows long-term mental health care lags far behind what's needed in Knox County, Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse asked Gov. Bill Lee to include $20 million in his next budget proposal to expand services at the Helen Ross McNabb Center's EmPATH Unit, but Lee declined to endorse the expansion. State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey said she will push Lee to include the $20 million in his supplemental budget, which is created toward the end of the legislative session in April.

Why it matters

The closure of Knoxville's Lakeshore Mental Health Institute in 2013 left the closest long-term mental health facility 100 miles away in Chattanooga, making it difficult for patients and police to access. Private hospitals don't fill the needs of those mandated to receive care after jail or those who are underinsured. An extensive 2024 audit showed the need for a psychiatric hospital in the Knoxville region.

The details

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse asked Gov. Bill Lee to include $20 million in his next budget proposal to expand services at the Helen Ross McNabb Center's EmPATH Unit, which was considered an interim solution as the process to build a new mental health hospital continues to unfold. The space would be reserved for those who need to stay longer than 23 hours, which is the limit at the EmPATH Unit. State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey said she will push Lee to include the $20 million in his supplemental budget, which is created toward the end of the legislative session in April.

  • In 2013, Knoxville's Lakeshore Mental Health Institute closed.
  • In 2022, Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission members began working to find a solution.
  • In 2023, a joint resolution was passed by the city council and county commission.
  • In 2024, an extensive audit showed the need for a psychiatric hospital in the Knoxville region.
  • On February 2, 2026, Gov. Bill Lee's $57.9 billion budget proposal was unveiled, which would expand his signature project, taxpayer-funded private school vouchers, and make a dent in the state's $58 billion road project backlog.

The players

Bill Lee

The governor of Tennessee who declined to endorse a state-financed mental health care expansion in Knoxville.

Marie Williams

The commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, who said the research identified a need in the Knoxville area and that the state is struggling with beds.

Becky Duncan Massey

A Republican state senator from Knoxville who said she will push Gov. Lee to include the $20 million in his supplemental budget.

Richard Briggs

A Republican state senator from Knoxville who joined with Massey and McNally to enact the study that showed the need for a new mental health hospital in Knoxville.

Randy McNally

A Republican state senator from Oak Ridge who joined with Massey and Briggs to enact the study that showed the need for a new mental health hospital in Knoxville.

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What they’re saying

“The research identified a need in this area and we do believe it's going to continue to grow. We really are struggling with beds. We've got research requested by the Knox County delegation; a letter was sent to us to come up with a plan.”

— Marie Williams, Tennessee's mental health commissioner

“It's always hard in a tighter budget year to get everything funded that you're hoping for. I'm gonna be corralling and getting the regional legislators to help advocate. I'll have more conversations with the commissioner of finance. It's a process and we're gonna work it.”

— Becky Duncan Massey, State Senator

What’s next

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey said she will push Gov. Lee to include the $20 million in his supplemental budget, which is created toward the end of the legislative session in April.

The takeaway

The closure of Knoxville's Lakeshore Mental Health Institute in 2013 has left a significant gap in long-term mental health care in the region, with private hospitals unable to fill the needs of those mandated to receive care or who are underinsured. Despite an extensive audit showing the need for a new psychiatric hospital, the state has so far declined to provide the necessary funding, leaving local leaders desperate to find a solution for their vastly underserved community.