Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Kingston, TN - September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month. Communities large and small across our nation and state are taking strides to elevate awareness efforts, East Tennessee is no exception.

Roane County Executive, Mr. Ron Woody, signed a proclamation on August 30, 2017 in support of September being “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month” in Roane County and urging all citizens to work together to prevent suicide and to raise awareness and tolerance around all people affected by this tragedy.

Executive Woody was joined by Dr. Traci Golbach, Ph.D. and Michael Yates of Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services, a local community mental health and substance abuse treatment provider since 1957.

The numbers in Tennessee are startling: 1,065 people died by suicide in 2015, more than by motor vehicle accidents, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death for our young adults 15 to 24 as reported by Tennessee Department of Health.

As more and more families, friends, schools, and communities are impacted by the tragedy of suicide, efforts are gaining strength to educate all citizens of the risk factors and warning signs related to suicide prevention. Training like the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention class is making its way across the state, school systems, first responders, and others to help equip people with the knowledge and skills to prevent suicide and connect people with hope and help.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This nationwide hotline connects to a nationwide network of certified local crisis centers, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Locally, you may contact Ridgeview’s Mobile Crisis Team at 1-800-870-5481, which is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To learn more about how to bring QPR Training to your community, contact Michael Yates at Ridgeview, 482-1076 or visit www.ridgeview.com/community/presentations-trainings

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Photo left to right: Dr. Traci Golbach, Ph.D, County Executive Ron Woody, and Michael Yates
Michael Yates, Director of Development
Ridgeview is a private, not-for-profit community mental health center with locations in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane, and Scott counties. Roane Clinic located at 307 Devonia Street in Harriman. Ridgeview’s walk-in clinic hours at Roane Clinic are Monday – Friday 8:30 – 9:30. Regular office hours remain 8 – 5 weekdays. Follow Ridgeview on Facebook and www.ridgeview.com.