In the State of Tennessee, more than 1,200 lives are lost to suicide each year. Statistics estimate that there are 25 attempted suicides for each suicide death.
Across the state and the nation, suicide is a tremendous form of suffering and one of the most disruptive and tragic events a family and a community can experience.
Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in Tennessee, the third leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 10 to 24 as well as the fourth leading cause of death of adults ages 35-44 and the eighth cause of death for adults ages 45-54.
Because of statistics such as these, the State of Tennessee has declared suicide prevention as a priority and with the support of counties and agencies across the state are working to reduce the risks of suicide by raising awareness and increasing education and treatment opportunities.
Mayor Jack McCall has been a proponent for suicide prevention across the county. Wednesday, August 19, McCall signed a proclamation declaring September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month for Trousdale County.
Each person in the county is encouraged to play a role in suicide prevention by learning and sharing the risk and warning signs, decreasing the stigma as a means to promote help-seeking by talking about suicide using safe-messaging and sharing available resources.
On September 1, for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, a community Remembrance Wall will be set up on the fence outside the historic downtown courthouse. Members of the community are encouraged to come by at any time and write the name of a loved one or friend they have lost to suicide on a ribbon and tie it to the wall.
A Trousdale Remembers gathering and candlelight vigil will take place at the courthouse to support families and promote open dialogue on Thursday, September 24. Details to be announced at a later time.
For more information about suicide prevention and training, visit the website for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.
If you need immediate assistance, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available 24/7, free, and confidential) or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
