TSPN December 2020 Newsletter

November events recap
Giving Tuesday 2020 recap
T-Mobile implements 988
Request for Information: Black youth suicide prevention
New training offering: QPR Triage
In the Know: news & resources
Donor and sponsor recognition
Tile of the Month

November events recap

We want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who made our Speak Up campaign such a success this year. We sold over 280 shirts and raised over $2,000 to go toward suicide prevention trainings and awareness events in Tennessee!

We also saw several messages of hope shared throughout the Speak Up social media day on November 21.

Will Taylor, top right, shared several local and statewide resources along with his photo.

Katie Dunn, bottom right, lost her brother Kevin to suicide. She posted in remembrance of Kevin and shared, "It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to have bad day. Don’t give up! You matter!"

Thank you again to everyone who participated in our Speak Up campaign this year. Be on the lookout for more TSPN t-shirt fundraiser events in the new year!

The 2020 Survivors of Suicide Loss Day observance took place virtually on Saturday, November 21, as Parkwest Medical Center, Peninsula and the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network offered a safe place to celebrate those we’ve lost to suicide, and to offer hope and encouragement.

This year’s event featured a series of videos from survivors of suicide who shared their personal journeys. The featured speaker is Dennis Gillan, who lost two brothers to suicide and now travels speaking about mental health and suicide prevention. He has presented a TEDx Talk, “Standing Tall in the Face of Mental Health,” and continues to share his own inspirational story and message of hope to audiences everywhere.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Day made its debut in Knoxville in 2019. Since then, this event has been a landing place for survivors to join and remember, listen, and find hope. The stories offer a voice for those lost and help in the healing for the survivors.

All stories from this year's event will remain on the website for all to see.

The Zackary King Suicide Awareness Memorial Walk also took place on November 21 in Oneida. Mary King lost her son Zackary to suicide in 2019 and has worked for months to hold this event, which 50 people physically attended with hundreds more watching online. It was a wonderful event with tables featuring resources and information from TSPN, Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, and Ridgeview Behavioral Health, as well as the current Love Never Dies Memorial Quilt, which includes Zackary's photo.

Mary led the day with a speech sharing about her son Zackary, suicide statistics, warning signs, and risk factors. She then handed it off to East Regional Director Sarah Walsh for information regarding TSPN and ways to get involved. The event rounded out with a group walk around the park's trails. Mary shared that the walk was a big success, and that it meant the world to her for so many to attend the walk in person and online.

Giving Tuesday 2020 Recap

THANK YOU! Due to your generosity, we raised several hundred dollars on Giving Tuesday 2020 that will go directly toward suicide prevention education and advocacy efforts in Tennessee. We are so grateful for your support!

T-Mobile first to implement 988

On November 23, T-Mobile announced that it is the first major wireless provider to activate the new nationwide 988 emergency lifeline number for customers on the T-Mobile network. Those in need of free mental health support can now get it immediately by dialing 988 to be connected directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Callers who text 988 will receive an automated message instructing them to call 988.

As a reminder, 988 will not be fully implemented across all phone services nationwide until July 2022.

RFI: Black youth suicide prevention

From the National Institute of Mental Health

Over the past several years, there has been a significant increase in the rate of suicide and suicidal ideation and behaviors (SIB) among Black youth. From 2001 to 2015, Black youth under 13 were twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their White peers, and the suicide death rate among Black youth was found to be increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group.

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks input from a variety of stakeholders including researchers, healthcare providers, community leaders, and individuals from other relevant organizations (e.g., schools, social welfare, justice, faith communities) around the risks for and prevention of death by suicide and suicidal ideation and behaviors (SIB) of Black children and adolescents. Specifically, this RFI seeks information on topics of epidemiology, etiology, trajectories, preventive interventions, treatment interventions, and services interventions.

For consideration, comments must be submitted electronically via the NIH

RFI website. Comments must be received by January 15, 2021. Response to this RFI is voluntary and may be submitted anonymously. While not required, NIMH strongly encourages respondents to include their name, the organization they are representing, and their role in the organization. The submitted information will be reviewed by NIH staff.

New training offering: QPR Triage

TSPN is thrilled to announce a new training offering available-- QPR Triage. QPR Triage is an advanced QPR training that goes more in-depth into potential and active suicidal crises. This training is a great extended addition to basic QPR training, especially for those on the front lines of suicide prevention.

To find out more about QPR Triage and/or to schedule or attend a QPR Triage training, email tspn@tspn.org.