April 2021 Call to Action

The monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network

Happy Spring, TSPN family! We are really excited to offer new trainings, both virtually and in-person, in the next month or two. We also have some very exciting outreach initiatives in the works for this year-- did you know TSPN has a YouTube channel? And if you're in the Middle Tennessee area, you may just see a TSPN commercial on your news station of choice in the next few months. If you see the TSPN logo out in the world--in a commercial, on a billboard, maybe even in a restaurant restroom!--we'd love for you to snap a photo and let us know! Be on the lookout for more creative TSPN outreach this year.

-Misty

We are so grateful to have such stellar supporters!

Our Data and Communications Director Morgan Tubbs is pictured here with Jamie Scott Jenkins and his wife, Makeya; Principal Jenkins completed a running challenge in March to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention in Tennessee.

We were also able to connect with the Tennessee School of Beauty in Knoxville last month to thank them in person for their efforts and contributions to TSPN this past winter.

From left to right: TSB's Stephen Brown, TSPN East Regional Director Emily Hager, TSPN Executive Director Misty Leitsch, and TSB's Adam Brown.

Interested in holding or hosting a fundraiser for TSPN? We'd be thrilled to help you out!

Email us at tspn@tspn.org.

Our staff, along with several outstanding volunteers from across the state, became trained as LivingWorks safeTALK trainers in late March.

From the LivingWorks website:

"LivingWorks safeTALK is a four-hour face-to-face workshop featuring powerful presentations, audiovisuals, and skills practice. At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you'll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort."

We are excited to begin offering this training in the coming months! Special thanks to Family & Children's Service in Nashville for allowing us to use their space for training.

The TSPN First Responder Suicide Prevention Task Force has been meeting monthly and was able to speak at the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association (TASA) conference in March.

Representatives from more than 40 different agencies across the state connected with the task force, excited for resources for their employees. Pictured here are Misty Leitsch and Task Force Co-Chairs Doug Pardue and Mary Anne Christian.

TSPN Southeast Regional Director Rachel Gearinger (left) along with TSPN Advisory Council Chair-Elect Eve Nite (right) coordinated donations of self-care items like tea, coffee, mugs, candy, candles, and more for 14 Hamilton County health department COVID-19 hotline staff in April.

Rachel and Eve packed the self-care bags along with other area organizations, also pictured here.

TSPN held a virtual event entitled “Finding Hope: An Interview with Survivors of Suicide Loss” in early April. TSPN intern Mikaela Donovan interviewed three Suicide Loss Survivors who were able to share their stories and teach others from their lived experience. Lindsey Carr, Southwest Regional Director with TSPN, was able to provide information on various resources for those who may currently experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors. We also heard from Karyl Chastain Beal, Emeritus Member of TSPN, on her involvement with Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Groups, the Memorial Quilt Project, and the International Memorial Wall.

Thank you to all those who participated! Click here to watch the recording of the event.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services was awarded a 988 Implementation Grant to pull together stakeholders and develop the implementation plan for 988 and Tennessee. As a reminder, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is switching over from 1-800-273-TALK to the three-digit code 988 nationally in July 2022. TSPN has accepted an invitation to be a part of this implementation committee.

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.

On Monday, March 29, Gov. Bill Lee announced plans to fund a $250 million trust fund for mental health services in K-12 schools.

Governor Lee praised TSPN's work in his address and suicide prevention was named as a top priority for the planned funding.

Mary Linden Salter of TAADAS (right) and Misty Leitsch were among the behavioral health providers and advocacy group leaders invited to attend the governor's press conference on March 29.