The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is tackling the tough issue of suicide with an innovative campaign that encourages Tennesseans to make a "Promise to Call." Launching the initiative, TDMHSAS invites individuals to vow to reach out to someone if they ever experience suicidal thoughts, be it a friend, family member, or the 988 Lifeline. Participants are urged to hold onto that commitment, whether by writing it down, programming it as a phone contact, or sharing it with their community. According to the TDMHSAS, documenting this promise could act as a crucial reminder leading to life-saving actions in moments of crisis.
This straightforward strategy is part of a larger push to spark conversations about suicide, increase awareness of available resources, and reduce mental health stigma. TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW, emphasized the potential impact, stating, "A promise is something that people hold dear and will remember. It is our belief that if someone makes a promise prior to a suicide crisis, it can save a life." Williams shared personal insights during the announcement, revealing that this approach had already proven effective within her own circle. Moreover, the campaign seems to be a response to the sobering statistic that Suicide remains one of the top ten causes of death in the state, with over 1,200 Tennesseans having lost their lives to it in 2022 alone.
Backing the initiative, various stakeholders are voicing their support of the campaign's potential to foster stronger community ties and encourage proactive mental health care. Clark Flatt, President of The Jason Foundation, Inc., told TDMHSAS, "Having a friend and their contact information readily available before you need it can make the positive difference in times you might feel life becoming overwhelming." The sentiment was echoed by Alysia Smith Knight, Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO), who stressed the power of human connection in the fight against suicide.
Meanwhile, Becky Stoll, Senior Vice President of Crisis Services at Centerstone, commended Tennessee's commitment to mental health through "Promise to Call," highlighting how such preparedness for crisis moments could very well save lives. Stoll underpinned the importance of everyone playing a role in suicide prevention, and the new program materializes that concept into actionable and tangible promises that could be the crucial turnaround for those in distress. Data from the Tennessee Department of Health's Suicide Prevention in Tennessee Annual Report starkly illustrates the necessity for such campaigns, with firearms being the leading method of suicide in Tennessee, which has a suicide rate approximately 20% higher than the national average.
