Tennessee launches “Promise to Call” suicide prevention campaign

MGN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has launched “Promise to Call,” a new effort to prevent suicide by encouraging people to make a simple personal commitment: promise to reach out for help if suicidal thoughts ever occur.

Participants are urged to write down the promise, save it in their phone, and share it with others.

The campaign promotes awareness of resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and aims to reduce stigma around mental health.

Officials say the idea is to help people remember that promise in a crisis and choose to seek support.

“The Promise to Call campaign is one more way Tennessee is working to destigmatize and promote help-seeking.  We all play a role in suicide prevention, whether you need to ask help for yourself, a loved one, or a neighbor.”

-Anna Sever, Executive Director, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

In 2022, 1,245 Tennesseans died by suicide.

The state’s suicide rate is 20% higher than the national average.

Learn more or make your promise at PromiseToCall.com.