Local Chester County mayors make September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, suicide is the ninth leading cause of all deaths in Tennessee and the second-leading cause of death among people from the age of 15 to 24. Tennessee was the first state that recognized Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September; now, the rest of the country has this annual observance. Tennessee’s Governor signed off on an official proclamation understanding Nashville the 2nd of Wednesday in September. of the observance which is presented at our Suicide Prevention Awareness Day event in Nashville the second Wednesday of September. This gesture demonstrates the state of Tennessee’s understanding of the problem of suicide and commitment to our suicide prevention mission.
Talking points:
TSPN is a statewide public-private organization responsible for implementing the ‘Tennessse strategy for Suicide Prevention as defined by the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.TSPN’s members include counselors, mental health professionals, physicians, clergy, journalists,
social workers, and law enforcement personnel, as well as survivors of suicide and sucideattempts.
There are over 1,100 suicide deaths in Tennessee a year and an estimated 25 suicide attempts for each death.
In recent years, suicide deaths in Tennessee have become equal to the number of motor vehicle deaths, which has steadily decreased.
Tennessee veterans, active-duty military personnel, and National Guardsmen face a
disproportionate risk as compared to the general population of Tennessee, with more dying from suicide than combat.
For more information, visit TSPN online at www.tspn.org.