Health Care, Mental Health & Public Health
Low-cost clinics, public health services, mental health care for people without insurance, and safe disposal for medication and needles. Many offer sliding fees based on income.
Last verified
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Numbers to know
- 911Emergency Services (911)24/7
- 988988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline24/7
- 1-800-222-1222Poison Help Line24/7
- 2-1-1LINC 2-1-1 (Memphis Public Libraries & United Way)Library-based staff: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
| Organization | What they offer | Who qualifies & cost | How to apply | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance Healthcare Services: Outpatient Mental Health Clinics official websiteMemphis / Shelby County, TN | Shelby County's large behavioral health nonprofit, with outpatient clinics at several Memphis locations. Call the appointment line to be matched with a clinic. For an emergency, use the 24/7 crisis line instead. | Contact for eligibility and payment optionsCost: Varies; ask when you call | Call 901-369-1410 for appointments, or 901-577-9400 for a crisis. |
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| Christ Community Health Services official websiteMemphis / Shelby County, TN | A community health center network offering adult and children's primary care, behavioral health, dental, women's health, pharmacy, and HIV care. Fees are based on income, and Medicaid and most commercial insurance are accepted. The Orange Mound clinic lists new patients as welcome. | Open to the public; sliding fee depends on household size and incomeCost: Sliding fee scale; insurance and Medicaid accepted | Call the main line or request an appointment online. Bring photo ID and proof of income to the first visit. |
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| Church Health official websiteMemphis / Shelby County, TN | A Memphis nonprofit providing medical, dental, eye, pediatric, behavioral health, physical rehabilitation, and pharmacy services for working people who lack affordable coverage. Eligibility rules and new-patient requirements are posted on its patient pages, and demand for new appointments can be high, so ask about availability before planning around it. | Patient requirements posted on the website; ask about new-patient availabilityCost: Income-based; the amount is set on enrollment | Call the patient line and ask about new-patient requirements. |
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| Medication Take-Back Drop Boxes (Shelby County) official websiteShelby County, TN | Year-round boxes for unused or expired medicine, including every Memphis Police precinct, three Sheriff's Office sites, some university and pharmacy locations, and a national locator. The Sheriff's Office takes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, pet medication, medicated creams, inhalers, and liquids in leak-proof containers. These boxes do not take needles. | AnyoneCost: Free | Take medication to a participating box. Sheriff's Office boxes: Training Academy lobby (993 Dovecrest Rd), the Memphis-Arlington Rd substation, and the Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar Ave). Confirm any pharmacy kiosk before you go. |
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| Regional One Health (Safety-Net Hospital) official websiteMemphis / Shelby County, TN | Memphis's public safety-net hospital and trauma center on the medical district campus. It has a financial assistance policy for people who cannot pay for emergency or medically necessary care. Ask about financial assistance when you register or call patient financial services. | Open to all patients; financial assistance is based on incomeCost: Financial assistance available | Ask the hospital for its financial assistance application; confirm the right phone line for your need before calling. |
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| Shelby County Health Department official websiteShelby County, TN | The county public health agency, with clinics for immunizations, family planning, sexual health testing, tuberculosis care, WIC, vital records, and more. The main office is open on weekdays, and the department also runs satellite clinics around the county. | Residents; some services have eligibility rulesCost: Varies by service | Call the main number for the right clinic or program. |
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| Tennessee Behavioral Health Safety Net (BHSN) official websiteTennessee | A state program that pays for mental health care for uninsured Tennesseans who meet its eligibility rules. Covered services include evaluation, individual, family, and group therapy, psychiatric medication management, related lab work, and pharmacy assistance. Care is delivered by community providers in all 95 counties. | Uninsured Tennesseans meeting program criteria; see the adult and child eligibility pagesCost: Free to eligible residents | Call the helpline or contact a BHSN provider directly. A provider list is on the program page. |
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Last verified
Common questions
I have no insurance. Where do I start?
A community health center that charges by income, such as the ones listed here, is the usual first stop. Bring photo identification and proof of income to the first visit, and ask about TennCare screening at the same time.
What is a sliding fee scale?
It means the price of a visit depends on household size and income, so people with lower incomes pay less. Each clinic sets its own scale, so ask for it when you call.
How do I get rid of old medication or used needles safely?
Medication can go in a take-back drop box, and the county runs a separate needle program for residents. Do not put loose needles in the trash, because they can injure sanitation workers.