The monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network |
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As TSPN winds down the year, we reflect on what has been a year of transition but also a year of new educational opportunities, expanded in-person connection, and hands-on volunteering in our communities. You have all been a part of this process with every event, every referral, every moment taken to share the message for suicide prevention.
Our search for an Executive Director is actively in progress, and we hope to announce a new leader for TSPN early next year. In the meantime, you can always depend on your Regional Directors to answer any questions or handle your exhibit and training requests. Other inquiries may be directed to Director of Operations Monika Hauck at mhauck@tspn.org or TAADAS Executive Director Mary Linden Salter at marylinden@taadas.org.
We close out this year grateful for the work done in 2022 and hopeful for all that 2023 may bring. We wish all of you who celebrate a holiday this month a happy and peaceful celebration, and we wish all of you a peaceful and prosperous new year.
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In this issue
Survivors of Suicide Loss event
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988 Rocks in the 901
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and more!
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Photos from events across Tennessee |
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TSPN's "Growing and Healing" for Survivors of Suicide Loss Statewide Event took place at the TSPN/TAADAS offices on November 5. About 75 people attended from as far off as Illinois and Indiana.
The event included the dedication of this year's "Love Never Dies" Memorial Quilt, a lived experience panel discussion, a poetry reading, and a presentation on suicide grief by Memphis-based therapist Theresa Bernard.
We extend our thanks to our event planning committee for all their hard work on this event, and thanks to Chik-Fil-A for the catered lunch.
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Speakers on the lived experience panel during our event included (from left to right) Torsha Hudson, a medical/surgical travel registered nurse and mental health advocate; Kayla Sharpe, TSPN's Northeast Regional Director; life coach Rebekah Hope; and Dr. Audrey Elion of Elion Management Consulting, recently elected as Chair of TSPN's Advisory Council. |
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Karyl Chastain Beal (speaking at the podium) is the chair of TSPN's Quilt Committee and the contact point for anyone interested in contributing to upcoming quilts. You can reach out to her by way of TSPN at tspn@tspn.org.
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Since 2006, the "Love Never Dies" Memorial Quilts have appeared at TSPN and other events across the state of Tennessee, putting a human face on the problem of suicide while honoring those we have lost. For more information on this ongoing project, check out the quilt page on the TSPN website.
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Earlier this year, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline relaunched as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, offering 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained counselors who can help with suicidal impulses, substance abuse issues, mental health crises, or emotional distress.
To promote this revamped service, TSPN's Memphis/Shelby County Region is staging "988 Rocks in the 901". Volunteers handpainted rocks promoting the 988 number and plan to leave them in strategic locations all across the Memphis metro.
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A candid photo from an ASIST training held at Church of the City in Spring Hill on November 18-19. Our thanks to TSPN South Central Regional Director Mary Anne Christian and Director of Operations Monika Hauck for facilitating. |
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UPCOMING TRAININGS, MEETINGS & EVENTS |
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December 6: Suicide Prevention Task Force meetings for Mid-Cumberland Region
December 8: Mid-Cumberland regional meeting
December 12: The Behavioral Health and Wellness Association
of Hickman and Perry Counties
December 14: South Central regional meeting
Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, and Polk Counties Task Force meeting
December 15: East regional meeting
December 20: Memphis/Shelby County regional meeting
December 21: Southwest regional meeting
December 22: Upper Cumberland regional meeting
January 3: Suicide Prevention Task Force meetings for Mid-Cumberland Region
January 5: Southeast Regional Meeting
Note: due to remodeling of the current meeting venue, the Northeast Region will not meet in November or December. Anyone interested in updates from this region should email ksharpe@tspn.org.
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ASIST training series across the state
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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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Corinne Erhard
Karla D. Phillips
Special thanks to Creative Tenacity and all the local youth orchestras who participated in Hope Twinkles '22, who selected TSPN as one of this year's chosen charities.
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Roddy David White Flanagan
and
Aidan William Flanagan
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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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