February 2025 Call to Action

The monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN)

February issue

Executive Director's call to action
Monthly Recap: regional news and updates
Announcements on upcoming local events
Invitations to national conferences

and more!

Call to Action

Like many of you across the state, TSPN is saddened by the recent events at Antioch High School. These tragedies leave young people – and people of all ages -- asking many questions without answers. This can lead to feelings of grief, anger, confusion, helplessness and even hopelessness.

TSPN’s mission is to let people know that help IS available.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects you with trained crisis counselors in your area. You don't need to be actively suicidal to call; counselors are there to listen and help.

The Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line at 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471) can assist you if you’re in a mental health crisis.

Mental health centers across the state can assist children and families in need: https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/need-help/children-and-youth.html

TSPN offers educational programs that teaches community members how to recognize the signs and symptoms of someone contemplating suicide – and how to respond.

We invite schools to learn more about TSPN’s Sources of Strength program, an evidence-based program supported and implemented by TSPN within the state of Tennessee for the purpose of preventing youth suicide, bullying, substance abuse, and violence among our state’s children, teens, and young adults. See our the program page on our website (https://tspn.org/sources-of-strength) for details.

With gratitude,

Anna C. Sever

Greater Memphis Region

Approximately 30 people participated in the Greater Memphis regional meeting held January 16 at Hope Church in Cordova. At left, Greater Memphis Regional Chair/Past Advisory Council Chair Audrey Elion (left) and Regional Director Justin Johnson (right) present Jennifer Predmore, Director of Business Development for Clarvida, with a certificate of appreciation for her agency's lunch sponsorship of this meeting.

TSPN regional meetings provide opportunities for volunteers to suggest, plan, and evaluate awareness and education projects for their community according to TSPN priorities and local needs. To see the date for your next local meeting and find contact information for your Regional Director, scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter. To find your TSPN region, see the map on our website.

Interested in promoting your company or nonprofit? Sponsoring lunch or snacks at these meetings allows you to promote your agency or cause. Again, contact your Regional Director for details.

South Central Region

Counselors with Bedford County Schools participated in a training session where HOPE (Health Outcomes from Positive Experiences) was presented, as well as a refresher on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). At left, counselors are greeted by Jasper, a service dog-in-training owned by South Central Regional Director Mary Anne Christian.

C-SSRS is a questionnaire that estimate someone’s

suicide risk and provide options for support. Anyone

can administer it, even without formal mental health

training. C-SSRS training sessions and refreshers are available from TSPN at no cost. Contact your Regional Director to set up a session for your agency today.

TSPN's Greater Memphis Region invites you to an ASIST training session scheduled for February 27-28 at Hope Church in Cordova.

This two-day skills-building workshop teaches participants how to recognize warning signs, prevent someone in crisis from harming themselves, and work with them to create a safety plan.

More details and registration here!

TSPN's Northeast Region is partnering with Johnson County Schools to present a free QPR training session from 3:30-5:30 PM Eastern on February 27 at Johnson County High School, located at 290 Fairground Lane in Mountain City.

This session is open to all community members over the age of 18, but pre-registration is required.

TSPN's Northwest Region is organizing three "Blessing of the Tractors" events in February with the assistance of local health councils and Future Farmers of America chapters:

Dyer County Fairgrounds on Monday, February 17, 2-4 PM Central
Gibson County High School on Thursday, February 20, 7-9 AM Central
Henry County High School on Friday, February 21, time TBD

Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. Rural rates of suicide are much higher than in urban areas. Farmers are at a predisposed risk of suicide for a myriad of factors, including the availability of lethal means, physical demands of the job, possible work-related injuries, and the stress and pressure to provide for their families and communities (learn more on our website).

TSPN's Northwest Region created "Blessing of the Tractors” in partnership with local prevention coalitions, health councils, school systems, and agriculture-related programs and organizations. The project promotes the need for resources and services to protect and provide hope to the farmers and their families who serve our communities.

Each event will begin with a parade of tractors, followed by a mental health resource fair, presentations from TSPN representatives and local speakers on the topic of agriculture mental health/suicide prevention, with a finale of local pastors providing a blessing over those farmers and families present as well as their equipment, season, and land. All participants will leave with farming-specific suicide prevention resources to keep in the cab of their tractors for easy availability and utilization in a time of crisis.

We look forward to seeing you at each event. Thank you for supporting our efforts to save lives in Northwest Tennessee. For more information, contact Emily Jernigan, TSPN's Northwest Regional Director, at 731-697-5116 or ejernigan@tspn.org.

February 25, 1:00 - 2:30 PM Central

TSPN has long recognized the value of timely and adequate access to behavioral health care in preventing suicide.

That's why TSPN has partnered with the Tennessee Parity Project and the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug, and other Addiction Services (TAADAS) to promote awareness and education about your rights to mental health and substance use treatment under state and federal laws.

We want everyone seeking behavioral health care to know their rights as consumers and how you may be able to overturn a health plan's treatment denials in many cases. Please learn more at these FREE webinars.

Rx and Illicit Drug Summit

Join TAADAS and TSPN on April 21-24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center for insights, strategies, and connections that can transform the future of the opioid and addiction crisis.

Use the code TAADAS to save $100 off advance rates for total savings of $500!

Don’t miss out—register today:

https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/rx-summit/rates