Metro Health marks Suicide Awareness Month with new programming
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) has launched a new mental health program to mark National Suicide Awareness Month.
MPHD hosted its first Hope Is Available event on Wednesday, September 11. The Hope Is Available program is a two-part series featuring talks from mental health experts, public health professionals and those with lived experiences about suicide prevention and awareness.
“Each month, an average of nine people die by suicide in Nashville,” interim Director of Health for MPHD, Dr. Joanna Shaw-KaiKai, said in a press release. “Ignoring the problem will not stop our community’s struggles with suicide.”
On September 3, Metro Council adopted a resolution officially recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The resolution cited statistics in 2021 and 2022, adding that 115 people died by suicide in 2022. That number was the highest number in the last five years for Davidson County. The mayor approved the resolution the following day.
“Eliminating the stigma of mental health issues can be a step toward more people seeking care, and ultimately can be a step toward lowering the number of people in our community considering suicide,” Shaw-KaiKai added.
MPHD’s Behavior Health and Wellness division offers mental health screenings by appointment at the Lentz Public Helath Center. You can make an appointment by calling (615) 340-2172.
Newsmaker: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
MPHD invited the community to attend the Hope Is Available Community Day on Saturday, September 14 at the Boys and Girls Club on 16th Avenue North. The event is free to attend and will last from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. It is set to feature special performances, educational resources and more.
Anyone struggling with a mental health crisis can receive support 24/7 through:
Statewide Crisis Phone Line: 1-855-274-7471
Statewide Crisis Text Line: Text “TN” to 741 741
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
Tennessee RedLine (substance abuse/addictions): 1-800-889-9789
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.