Suicide Prevention Advocates to Visit Nashville

 Contact: Shannon Geames (shannonhall567@yahoo.com)    

Suicide Prevention Advocates to Visit Nashville

NASHVILLE, TN (February 12, 2019) – Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the ninth leading cause of death in Tennessee. On Wednesday, February 13, advocates from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the largest suicide prevention organization in the United States, will arrive at the state capitol to meet with lawmakers to encourage them to prioritize suicide prevention initiatives for Tennessee residents including support of SB 204/HB 36 requiring more frequent suicide prevention training for health professionals and HB159 that would indefinitely extend the Suicide Prevention Act of 2018.

“Every day in Tennessee, 3 people die by suicide.  It is our goal at AFSP to reduce deaths by suicide and speaking with our legislators about mental health and suicide prevention is an important part of this process.  The loss of my brother to suicide has inspired me to reach out to other loss survivors and those who are struggling with their own thoughts of suicide.  State Capitol Day is a unique opportunity to bring this community together, along with our elected officials, to make strides towards the reduction of suicide deaths in our great state,” said Shannon Geames AFSP National Public Policy Council Member and Tennessee Chapter Board Member and Advocacy Chair.

The AFSP Tennessee State Capitol Day is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide. Volunteers will meet with their state legislators and share their stories about why they participate in this advocacy effort, giving a human face to this important health problem. Advocates hope that by sharing their stories, they will help legislators understand that state investments in mental health and suicide prevention can save lives.  

AFSP Tennessee Chapter advocates are part of a larger national movement of AFSP volunteer advocates who will be visiting over 40 state capitols across the United States in 2019 to bring best practices in suicide prevention to state legislators and their staff. To learn more about AFSP’s advocacy efforts, visit here: https://afsp.org/our-work/advocacy/.

One American dies by suicide every 11.69 minutes and 90% of those who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death. AFSP volunteers will urge state lawmakers to be the voice for the thousands of Tennessee residents affected by suicide each year.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C. AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.