March 2021 Call to Action

The monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network

Hello! Can you believe we are already 3 months into 2021? We are excited to offer new training opportunities in the near future as we slowly transition into offering in-person training for the first time in months. Rest assured that any trainings or events put on by TSPN will adhere to both CDC and local government guidelines; the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and trainees is a top priority of ours! We will also continue to offer virtual opportunities for engagement for those who are not yet comfortable meeting in person. We can't thank you all enough for your patience with us over the last several months, and we are thrilled to see some folks in person very soon.

-Misty

Dr. Jamie Scott Jenkins, a high school principal in Nashville, completed his running challenge to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention in early March. More than $10,000 was raised for Tennessee suicide prevention organizations through his endeavor! TSPN is truly honored to have been included in this journey.

Our Data and Communications Director Morgan Tubbs was able to cheer Dr. Jenkins on during one leg of the event.

Thank you, Principal Jenkins!

We recently held an ASIST training in person, led by Southwest Regional Director Lindsey Carr, as well as an Alcohol & Drug QPR training with the Maury County Prevention Coalition, led by South Central Regional Director Mary Anne Christian.

We are looking forward to slowly but surely safely gathering again for more trainings, meetings, and events in 2021.

TSPN is thrilled to welcome Dr. Emily Hager as our new East Regional Director.

Emily is a Knoxville native and received her PhD from UTK. Emily is a U.S. Navy Veteran and draws on this experience, as well as her experience as a survivor of suicide loss, in her suicide prevention awareness work. She can be reached by email at ehager@tspn.org.

Welcome, Emily!

Submissions are still being accepted for this year's Love Never Dies Memorial Quilt. This statewide project began in 2006.

The Memorial Quilt is made up of those we have lost to suicide who either lived in Tennessee or have family in Tennessee. This quilt is a beautiful way ensure that our loved ones live on. If you are interested in submitting your loved one to appear on this year's quilt, please email TSPN Emeritus member Karyl Chastain Beal at karylofcolumbia@cs.com.

Pictured is the 17th Memorial Quilt, dedicated in September 2020.

TSPN is excited to announce two in-person Youth Mental Health First Aid training opportunities later this spring in the Mid-Cumberland region.

For information on the April 28 training, click here.

For information on the May 12 training, click here.

These trainings are FREE and open to the public!

We are hiring!

If you or someone you know based in Northwest TN may be interested in TSPN's Northwest Regional Director position, you can find more details on the job description and how to apply here!

UPCOMING TRAININGS & MEETINGS

March 15

Northwest Regional Meeting

Email tspn@tspn.org for details

March 16

Memphis/Shelby County Regional Meeting

Email jjohnson@tspn.org for details

March 17

Southwest Regional Meeting

Email lcarr@tspn.org for details

March 18

East Regional Meeting

Email ehager@tspn.org for details

March 23

SE Gun Safety & Suicide Prevention QPR Training

Click here for details

March 23

Memphis/Shelby County C-SSRS Training

Click here for details

March 25

Northeast Regional Meeting

Email mcolley@tspn.org for details

March 25

Upper Cumberland Regional Meeting

Email manderson@tspn.org for details

April 1

Southeast Regional Meeting

Email rgearinger@tspn.org for details

April 1

Memphis/Shelby County Lethal Means & Suicide Prevention QPR Training

Click here for details

April 7

South Central Regional Meeting

Email mchristian@tspn.org for details

April 8

Mid-Cumberland Regional Meeting

Email geakin@tspn.org for details

April 13

SC ACEs, Resilience & Suicide Risk Training

Click here for details

Meet the Tennessee Mom Working to End the Opioid Epidemic: 'We Need Empathy and Compassion'

Shelby County Fire dispatchers get training to handle pandemic-related mental health calls

2021 Art for Awareness virtual gallery

How Meghan Markle Has Already Changed the Way We Talk About Suicide

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

U.S. Office on Women's Health: Mental Health Resources

We would like to recognize the following donors & sponsors for their generous contributions toward suicide prevention in Tennessee

Karyl & Ronnie Beal

Jamie Scott Jenkins

Vanguard

Shelby Alexis Doss

Shelby's parents are Michael Doss and Jodi Doss. This photo of Shelby hangs in the new Shelby Doss Children's Crisis Center in Valdosta, Georgia; the center was named in her honor.

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Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network | tspn.org