TN Governor proposes investment to help with suicide prevention efforts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – You can see how much of a problem suicide is in Tennessee just by looking at the numbers.

There has been a climb in recent years, not just statewide, but also in Hamilton County.

“We have seen an increase. The last numbers that we have are from 2017. We lost 1,163 people to suicide. Out of that, 68 were in Hamilton County,” Tricia Henderson said.

Henderson is the Southeast Regional Chair for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is proposing a $1.1 million investment to expand the state’s partnership with the organization.

“What it’s going to do is hopefully add staff and then hopefully add community partnerships and give them a further reach related to training and education,” Henderson said.

TSPN focuses on suicide prevention, education and Intervention training.

“It is better to have the conversation and do it as early as possible versus letting things linger,” Henderson said.

Henderson said they work with groups in the community to give training, like “Question, Persuade, and Refer.”

“It’s the mental health CPR, and so it’s foundational information about how to get someone to help, how to recognize those warning signs and cues that we need to intervene and provide those referral sources or literally take someone to a referral source,” Henderson said.

“I think that the conversation has definitely opened up. I think that people are more concerned about mental health issues that are giving it the attention that we really need, and it needs to continues to grow, but we’re at a place where we’re at least willing to have the conversation and not stigmatize it so much.”