Mental Health Access in Memphis Is Closer Than You Think

How Alliance Healthcare Services and MATA are connecting Memphis to care, one bus route at a time.

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If you've been putting off getting help because you're not sure how to get there, you're not alone.

Transportation is one of the biggest reasons people in Memphis don't get the mental health care they need.

A 2023 study from the Urban Institute found that adults with limited public transit access are 2.3 times more likely to skip health care compared to those with reliable transit options.

In Tennessee, the need is urgent. Mental Health America ranked the state 42nd out of 51 for access to mental health care, and more than 166,000 Tennesseans with a mental health condition reported that their treatment needs went unmet in the past year.

Good news! Alliance Healthcare Services has partnered with the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) to help close that gap. And we're not just putting our message on buses. We're making sure those buses can bring you straight to our door.

MATA Reaches Nearly Every Corner of Shelby County

MATA is Memphis's public transit system. It covers 280 square miles and serves a population of nearly 707,000 people, about 78% of Shelby County.

That means when Alliance puts our message on MATA buses, it reaches people across the entire city. Riders at bus stops. Drivers on the road. Passengers on board.

But this partnership is about more than advertising.

MATA buses don't just carry our message. They can carry you to care. If you see our ad on a bus and you need help, you may already be on the route that takes you to one of our 18 locations across Memphis.

Bus #53 Drops You at Our Front Door

Here's a real example of how this works for our Crisis Wellness Center.

MATA Bus #53 stops at Summer Avenue at Malcomb Street, stop #4098. That stop is right at the front door of our Crisis Wellness Center, Alliance's 24/7 crisis care facility at 3200 Broad Avenue.

Bus #53 arrives almost every hour. No appointment needed. No referral required.

If you or someone you care about is in crisis, you can take the bus and walk in any time, day or night. The Crisis Wellness Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

That's what access looks like when a community works together.

What's Waiting When You Walk In

Alliance is the largest comprehensive behavioral health provider in Shelby County. We serve more than 22,000 people every year across multiple clinic locations.

Here's what you can access:

• 24/7 crisis care at the Crisis Wellness Center, including 30 crisis stabilization beds and 15 medically monitored detox beds

• Walk-in intake appointments at most Alliance clinics, Monday through Thursday

• Outpatient therapy for adults, children, and families through our outpatient mental health program

• Substance use disorder treatment, including medication-assisted therapy (medicine combined with counseling to support recovery)

• On-site pharmacy at the Crisis Wellness Center

We accept TennCare, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Cigna, WellPoint, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. We also offer sliding-scale fees through our Mental Health Safety Net Program. No one is turned away because of cost. Visit our insurance and payment options page to learn more.

Ready to take the first step? Call (901) 369-1410 to schedule an intake, or just walk in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk in without an appointment?

Yes. The Crisis Wellness Center at 3200 Broad Avenue accepts walk-ins 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For non-crisis care, most Alliance clinics offer walk-in intake appointments Monday through Thursday. Call (901) 369-1410 to confirm availability at the location nearest you.

Do I need a referral?

No. You do not need a referral from a doctor or anyone else. You can call us or walk in on your own.

What if I don't have insurance?

Alliance accepts TennCare, Medicare, and most major insurance plans. If you're uninsured, we offer sliding-scale fees based on your income. No one is turned away.

How do I get to Alliance by bus?

MATA Bus #53 stops at Summer Avenue at Malcomb Street (stop #4098), right at the front door of our Crisis Wellness Center. The bus arrives every hour. Visit rideMATAmemphis.org to plan your route to any of our 18 locations.

What should I bring to my first visit?

Bring a photo ID and your insurance card if you have one. That's it. We'll walk you through everything else when you arrive.

Help Is One Bus Ride Away

For more than 50 years, Alliance Healthcare Services has been building wellness in Memphis, one person, one family at a time. Our partnership with MATA is one more way we're making sure help is within reach for everyone in Shelby County.

You don't have to figure this out alone. And you don't have to go far to get started.

Call (901) 369-1410 to schedule an intake appointment, or walk into any Alliance location.

In crisis right now? Call our 24/7 crisis line at (901) 577-9400, call or text 988, or walk into the Crisis Wellness Center at 3200 Broad Avenue. Bus #53, stop #4098. We're here.