The monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network |
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TSPN is off to a great start for 2023 - due in large part to you, the community. We appreciate each of you taking the time to read the quick synopsis of work conducted across the great state of Tennessee over the past month! |
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In this issue
Statement regarding the tragedy in Nashville
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Training and awareness events from March
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and more!
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Two weeks ago today, the Nashville community, our state, and nation were rocked by the tragedy at Covenant School. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victims, their families, and their loved ones.
Mass Shootings, and various other mass violence incidents can evoke feelings of anxiety and depression, and also exacerbate existing PTSD. Feeling unsafe, helpless, angry, and hopeless might surface.
According to this article by WKRN, other signs of emotional distress related to incidents of mass violence may include:
· Feeling numb or like nothing matters
· Feeling helpless or hopeless
· Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why
· Feeling like you have to keep busy
Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including prescription medication).
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A message from TAADAS Executive Director: Mary Linden Salter
These emotions can create challenges for those in recovery.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The 988 helpline is available for referrals throughout Tennessee, as well as the REDLINE. We want to share a list of local, state, and national resources provided by NAMI that you could distribute to your staff, clients, and networks. Please click here. There are also resources listed here.
We appreciate the work you do. Please remember the importance of self-are and let us know if you need any additional support, resources or guidance.
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Photos from events across Tennessee |
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My Cup Runneth Over Event
Union City for “My Cup Runneth Over” event at Higher Ground Coffee to spread hope and resources then it’s off to Hopefield Mental Health Center in Dyersburg for more resource sharing. Featuring: North West Regional Director, Emily Oswald, and partners in Hope: Obion Co Prevention Coalition, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist, and Peer Project Lifeline.
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Maryville College representing! They have the image of our banner circulating on every screen in their Athletic Center, and Mr. Noah Bowman (Academic Support Specialist) put the images throughout their Academic Support Center. |
Dr. Emily Hager, East TN Regional Director, speaking at Hijacked a Conference focused on Recovery. |
Midcumberland Regional Director, Emmanuel Ehiemua, at the RCSPC Faith-based & Self Care Event photos! |
March 10th , Unicoi County High School HOSA club and their fearless leader, Mrs. Rachel Rice, hosted a Mental Health Awareness program in the auditorium from the students. AC Alternate, Brandy Maltsburger (with Frontier Health) and Northeast RD, Kayla Sharpe were guest speakers along with John Wade, a therapist from Woodridge Community Hospital. Earlier in the week, UCHS also hosted a mental health resource fair in the commons area outside of the lunchroom. |
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Congratulations to the future Mrs. Jernigan!
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QPR in the Greater Memphis Region. |
West TN Regional Director, Lindsey Carr, and South Central Regional Director, Dr. Mary Anne Christian, at the recent TCCY Child Advocacy Days with their new friend and future partner, Jana Hahn: Miss Franklin. |
March 11th, the A.C.T.I.O.N coalition hosted a community-wide summit from 11 to 3 at the First Christian Church Life Center on Main Street! Northeast Regional Director for TSPN, Kayla Sharpe, opened the day by shared a bit of her story & how practicing opening up about mental health & suicidal ideation can give others that feel alone HOPE.
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Justin Johnson, Greater Memphis Regional Director, and Dr. Elion, advisory council chair, attending the Military Appreciation Breakfast from the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce
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UPCOMING TRAININGS, MEETINGS & EVENTS |
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April 6: Southeast Regional Meeting
April 10: ASIST in Memphis
April 12: Virtual QPR (statewide)
Sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/402739503697
April 18: Greater Memphis Regional Meeting
Contact Person: jjohnson@tspn.org
April 20: East TN Regional Meeting
Contact Person: ehager@tspn.org
April 22: QPR T4T
Contact Person: ehager@tspn.org
April 24: ASIST in Knoxville
Sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/580797108787
May 11: Youth Mental Health First Aid
Contact Brandy Maltsburger at bmaltsbu@frontierhealth.org
May 24: ASIST in Memphis
June 5th & 6th: June Advisory Council Meeting
Contact Person: tspn@tspn.org
July 21st: Do the Work: Fostering Child Wellness in your Community
Sign up at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/583960600877
November 4: Growing and Healing for survivors of Suicide Loss Statewide Event
Details to come.
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TSPN helped developed the Shield of Care curriculum, which is designed to help people who work with youth in detention identify suicide warning signs, connect with them to find out the severity of the risk, and link them to available mental health and crisis response supports.
The participant training is a one-day session, running from 9 AM to 5 PM
local time with a break for lunch. Training dates are as follows:
- Nashville: April 12 OR June 14
- Cookeville: April 19
- Memphis: April 25 OR May 30
- Jackson: May 1
- Columbia: May 3
- Franklin: May 9
- Knoxville: May 24 OR June 20
- Chattanooga: June 6
Register online at https://tinyurl.com/8ks55n66
The Shield of Care T4T runs two-and-a-half days. The first day covers the updated curriculum. The second day reviews the Trainers Manual. Boosters and teach-backs begin on the second day and continue on the third half-day.
We should note that while anyone may apply to be a Shield of Care instructor,
application preference will be given to the staff of residential treatment centers (RTCs)
and juvenile detention centers (JTCs) and to existing suicide intervention trainers
with RTC or JTC experience.
- Training dates are as follows:
- Nashville: April 12-14 OR June 14-16
- Cookeville: April 19-21
- Memphis: April 25-27 OR May 30-June 1
- Columbia: May 3-5
- Franklin: May 9-11
- Knoxville: May 24-26 OR June 20-22
- Chattanooga: June 6-8
Register online at https://tinyurl.com/3dbkjevp
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ASIST training series across the state
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SUICIDE PREVENTION TASKFORCE EXPANDS
Growing membership from 35 individuals in 2019 to 99 in 2023, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) continues to strengthen its comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention. The Suicide Prevention Task Force includes broad representation across all sectors involved in suicide prevention activities across the state and meets quarterly to review statewide suicide-related data, programs, and services and to identify opportunities for improving statewide suicide prevention efforts.
Current task force members include individuals who work in healthcare organizations, behavioral health care organizations, law enforcement, community-based organizations, emergency response, faith-based organizations, rural organizations, and higher education institutions. Also represented are substance abuse treatment facilities, crisis services, military and veteran affairs, local schools, occupational groups such as construction workers, pharmacists and nurses, vulnerable populations such as men and people with disabilities, rural health care providers and county government officials. Click here for a current list of task force members.
Anyone interested in participating on the task force may contact LaDonna Merville, TDH Suicide Prevention Program Communications Specialist/Grant Coordinator, at LaDonna.Mervile@tn.gov for more information.
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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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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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