May 2021 Call to Action

The monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month, everyone! We see and celebrate all the hard work that TSPN Advisory Council members, regional volunteers, collaborators and advocates in Tennessee do to destigmatize and raise awareness about the importance of mental health for all of us. Check out the articles and resources below to promote mental health among parents, educators, healthcare workers, and more.

-Misty

Our staff attended the American Association of Suicidology's annual conference, AAS21, in April-- some virtually, and some in person in Orlando!

We enjoyed spending time together as a staff, as well as learning about innovative approaches to suicide prevention from experts in the field as well as organizations from across the country (and world!). New connections were made, and it was good to see old friends of TSPN at the conference.

TSPN volunteers in the East Region helped out at the Claiborne County Community Advisory Board Rolling Resource Fair in early May. Volunteers helped fill bags with pamphlets and resource guides as well as bracelets, pens and other goodies for 400 community members in Claiborne County.

In the Northwest region, TSPN partnered with Carey Counseling and their awesome interns to create a magnet (pictured) for local area buses. So far, more than 100 bus magnets have been dispersed to towns and school systems all over the Northwest region, with plans to distribute even more soon.

Our South Central Regional Director Mary Anne Christian participated in TN Drug Endangered Children Awareness Day in Lawrence County, bringing community members, law enforcement, and students together to raise awareness for drug-endangered children in Tennessee and spread messages of positivity.

Please join us in celebrating Mikaela Donovan, who spent the first half of 2021 interning with TSPN. Mikaela graduated from Union University with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and plans to attend the University of Louisville this fall to obtain a Master’s in Social Work with a military concentration.

During her time with TSPN, Mikaela worked closely with Southwest Regional Director Lindsey Carr on several regional and statewide projects. Some of her contributions include her work with the upcoming statewide resource directory as well as the virtual event, “Finding Hope: An Interview with Survivors of Suicide Loss,” where she was able to reach an international audience. She was awarded the BSW Field Student of the Year award from Union University for her outstanding achievements with TSPN and will marry her fiancé, Grant, in June.

Mikaela, we are so thankful for all the contributions you made to save lives in Tennessee!

TSPN is thrilled to announce that Emily Oswald has joined our team as the Northwest Regional Director.

Emily is proud to be from the hometown of Frog Jump, TN in Crockett County. She graduated from Union University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015. Emily was the Public Health Educator for Crockett County for three years before coming on board with TSPN. During that time, she started the Crockett County Prevention Coalition focusing on substance misuse, mental health resources, and bullying/suicide prevention, among other programs.

Emily can be reached at eoswald@tspn.org. Welcome, Emily!

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Farm Bureau Federation launched a comprehensive, easy-to-use online directory of resources for farmers, ranchers and their families who are experiencing stress and mental health challenges.

The directory, which is on the Farm State of Mind website at farmstateofmind.org, features listings for crisis hotlines and support lines, counseling services, training opportunities, podcasts, videos, published articles and other resources in every U.S. state and Puerto Rico. Listings for crisis support, counseling and behavioral health resources that are available nationwide are also included.

Final announcement: Submissions are being accepted through the end of May 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.

We invite you all to join us for our next Advisory Council meeting on Wednesday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST. The meeting will be held in person at the Lodge at Montgomery Bell State Park, with a virtual Zoom option, as well.

If you are interested in attending in person, please register via Eventbrite by Wednesday, May 19. This will serve as your RSVP for the meeting and the no-cost lunch provided on June 2. Virtual attendees will not need to register but should be on the lookout for the Zoom meeting link and other details in the coming weeks!

Save the date!

Our statewide September event for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month will be held September 8 and 9 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. More details to come-- mark your calendars now!