TDMHSAS Receives New Funding for Suicide Prevention Lifeline

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is receiving more than $200,000 in new funding to improve the response for Tennesseans seeking help through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

TDMHSAS is one of 12 states to receive the two-year capacity building grant funded by Vibrant Emotional Health.  In Tennessee, the funding will go to three community-based behavioral health providers who answer calls through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Providers receiving funding include Volunteer Behavioral Health, Family and Children’s Service, and Memphis Crisis Center.

“We know that suicide is preventable, and the moment someone reaches out for help, we have a priceless opportunity to make a positive intervention,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW.  “Through this grant, we’re going to ensure that more Tennesseans receive the help they desperately need from people who are based in their communities.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is the nation’s confidential, 24/7 mental health crisis hotline, and is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant.  Calls to the Lifeline are answered by trained counselors at over 170 locally-funded and operated crisis centers that comprise the Lifeline network.  In 2018, the Lifeline answered over 2.2 million calls from people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress across the United States.

The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255, or you can learn more at this link: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org