The monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network |
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This edition of the TSPN Call to Action features a host of photographs from our statewide Suicide Prevention Awareness Month event and the others held across the state during September and October. We appreciate everyone who joined us for at least one of these events, demonstrating your commitment to preventing suicide and saving lives in Tennessee.
We also wanted to take the opportunity to reassure the membership of TSPN in the wake of several staff transitions, namely the departures of Misty Leitsch as our Executive Director and Morgan Tubbs as our Deputy Director. We do not anticipate these staffing changes to affect our previously scheduled activities, training sessions, etc. We appreciate the ongoing efforts of TSPN’S hardworking volunteers and staff across the state. We would also like to thank the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug, and other Addiction Services (TAADAS) for their help administering TSPN programs, and also for their logistical and moral support during this time. The relationship between TAADAS and TSPN remains unaltered during the transition to a new Executive Director.
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In this issue
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in pictures
Upcoming training, conference, and awareness events
and more!
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Statewide Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Event |
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Over 200 people joined us at the Franklin Cool Springs Marriott on September 7-8 for networking, training, and updates from experts in the fields of suicide prevention.
The event included an an awards dinner honoring this year's Suicide Prevention Awareness Month winners, followed by a presentation by perennial favorite John Midgely, a.k.a. "the Mental Health Magician".
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Our event would not have been the great success that it was without its dazzling array of guest speakers. Featured at this event... |
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Richard McKeon, Ph.D., MPH, Chief, Suicide Prevention Branch, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (pictured at far right, leading a roundtable for community stakeholders following his presentation) |
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Matt Yancey, LCSW, MPA, Deputy Commissioner, Behavioral Health Community Programs, Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services |
Brian K. Ahmedani, Ph.D, LMSW, Director, Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Director of Research, Behavioral Health Services, Senior Scientist,
Henry Ford Health System
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Morgan McDonald, MD, FAAP, FACP, Interim Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health |
John Palmieri, MD, MHA, Senior Medical Advisor, Substance Abuse Mental Health
Services Administration, Acting Director 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis
Coordinating Office
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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month across Tennessee |
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Our staff and volunteers across Tennessee staged local events through the month of September to raise awareness and show support for suicide prevention. Here are a few of the submissions we've received. |
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From East Tennessee: at left, painting of "the Rock" on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus; at right, a photo from AFSP's "Out of the Darkness" Walk held at the Cove at Concord Park in Knoxville on October 1. |
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From the Mid-Cumberland Region: TSPN's exhibit at Motlow State Community College on September 13 (Regional Director Manny Ehiemua at far left). From the Northeast Region: local volunteer Ashley Joyner and Regional Director Kayla Sharpe at TriPride 22. |
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From "Here I Am, Hear My Voice," the Memphis/Shelby County regional event held September 15 at Hope Church in Cordova. At left, Amber Marisa Whitsett (center) accepts this year's Ken and Madge Tullis Suicide Prevention Award. |
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Photos from our South Central Region: at left, Storytellers Hideaway Farm in Bon Aqua hosted "L;ve! Love! Run! 2022" on September 24. At right: Regional Director Mary Anne Christian accepts this year's Suicide Prevention Awareness Month document from Bedford County Mayor Chad T. Graham. |
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At left, from the Southeast Region: Regional Director Chris Edwards's presentation at Keith United Methodist Church in Athens on August 31. At right, from the Southwest Region, volunteers participating in our "Signs of Hope" event on September 23 displayed positive messaging and engaged with passersby at busy intersections in Jackson. |
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UPCOMING TRAININGS, MEETINGS & EVENTS |
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October 10: Hickman-Perry County Suicide Prevention Task Force meeting
October 12: South Central regional meeting
Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, and Polk Counties Task Force meeting
October 13: Mid-Cumberland regional meeting
October 13: Suicide Prevention Training at the Collierville Library
October 17: Northwest regional meeting
October 18: Memphis/Shelby County regional meeting
October 19: Southwest regional meeting
October 20: East regional meeting
October 27: Northeast regional meeting
Upper Cumberland regional meeting
November 1: Suicide Prevention Task Force meetings for Mid-Cumberland Region
November 3: Southeast Regional Meeting
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ASIST training series across the state
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"You're Worth It"
October 22-23
Overcoming Believers Church
211 Harriet Tubman Street
Knoxville, TN 37915
Presented in partnership with Vet to Vet Tennessee
“You're Worth It” play is a 2-hour, faith-based play that portrays talent show auditions at a high school where an altercation elevates to the point of individuals identifying to be suicidal and/or struggling with a mental health crisis. The actors display different signs of suicidal tendencies in the play, showcasing corresponding action steps. This comedy, musical, and drama play is appropriate for teens and young adults. Youth groups have attended previous shows with the youth group leader guiding pre-/post-performance discussions. Many of the youth who are selected for roles in this play also get to express their mental health through their performance.
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October 24 & 25
Answering the Call: First Responder Suicide Prevention Conference
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November 5
Growing and Healing for Survivors of Suicide Loss Statewide Event
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Communities play a key role in promoting hope and mental health. But how can they find resources to advance their efforts? A new, free website from Education Development Center (EDC), Community-Led Suicide Prevention (https://www.communitysuicideprevention.org), can help. The website is designed for communities and state agency, public health, and suicide prevention professionals who support them. It provides a step-by-step process and how-to tools to propel suicide prevention planning, action, and success. Explore the website and contact Julie Ebin (jebin@edc.org) to learn more.
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We would like to recognize the following donors & sponsors for their generous contributions toward suicide prevention in Tennessee |
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Ken and Madge Tullis in honor of Amber Marisa Whitsett, this year's Ken and Madge Tullis Suicide Prevention Award winner
In memory of Larry Roark:
Kelly M. Anderson
Shelly D. Billenstein
John & Alexis Boxold
Rellon E. Maxwell, Jr. and Carole A. Maxwell
Mary Tom and Keith Nichols
Paul Keener
Michelle Reed
Toni & Randy Joe Reid
Chuck & Sherrill Roddy
Shawn & Kim Scruggs
Elizabeth A. Sharp
Additional gifts this month came from
Keith Buechele
Kimberly Kelley
Barbara and Dr. William F. Reames in honor of Brian Reames
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Katelyn Wainman
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Melissa Louise Dewe Crawshaw
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Want to volunteer? Sign up for a Training? Click the buttons below to get involved! |
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Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network | tspn.org
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