Monthly Service Challenge
Each month, a new mission will be posted as motivation for us all to roll up our sleeves and serve our communities. Be sure to keep the Office of the First Lady in the loop by posting on social media using #TennesseeServes for a chance to be recognized as a Service Spotlight. Grab your friends, family, classmates or colleagues and join us as Tennessee Serves!
November
Mental health and substance abuse are often difficult topics to discuss. Each year, one in five Americans experiences a mental illness, and it’s likely that each day you come in contact with someone who is struggling with mental health or addiction.
To reach out to those experiencing mental, behavioral, substance and addiction crises and to help reduce the stigma around these issues, Tennessee Serves is focusing on serving Tennesseans with these needs and shining a light on the transformative work that’s taking place within public and private mental health and substance abuse organizations across the state.
This month, you can use your time, talents or resources to serve mental health and substance abuse professionals, caregivers or someone in your life who could use a listening ear or a helping hand. One conversation or one act of kindness can have a lifechanging impact on someone around you who’s struggling with addiction or mental health.
Ways to Serve
-Check in on a friend, family member, coworker or neighbor who might be feeling lonely or isolated
-Encourage mental health professionals in your life by sending them notes of appreciation, baked goods or self-care gifts
-Have age-appropriate conversations with your child about feelings, emotions and mental health
-Donate gently used clothing and books or new mother and baby items to a women’s shelter that serves survivors of human trafficking or domestic abuse
-Volunteer with veteran organizations like Operation Stand Down to support members of the military community
-Connect with your local Substance Abuse Coalition to help raise awareness and create change around substance abuse in your county
-Partner with one of these organizations to serve neighbors in your community:
- Refuge Center
- TN Voices
- Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
- Kid Central TN
- The Jason Foundation
- End Slavery TN
- Maranatha Women’s Ministry
- Operation Stand Down
- Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
- Veteran Crisis Line
- Veteran Suicide Prevention
- Families Free
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- TN Crisis Services
- Wayne County Helping Hands
- TMDHSAS Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
- Freedom House Ministry
- Stones River Recovery
- Mending Hearts
- Insight Alliance of Washington Co.
- ACTION Coalition
- SCAD Coalition
- Healing Housing
- Jackson-Madison Prevention Coalition
- TN Redline
Remember to post on social media about how you participated in this month’s challenge using #TennesseeServes for a chance to be featured as one of our service spotlights!
State Resources
The state of Tennessee provides many resources for individuals seeking help for mental and behavioral health issues, substance abuse and addiction. If you don’t know where to turn for help for yourself or a loved one, visit one of these websites:
- Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
- Crisis Services
- Behavioral Health Safety Net
- Peer Recovery Services
- Substance Use Prevention Coalitions
- Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists
- Lifeline Peer Project
- Tennessee Recovery Navigators
- Recovery Support Resources
- Emotional Fitness Centers
For Youth and Young Adults
- School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons
- Regional Intervention Program
- Crisis Services for Children and Youth
- Tennessee System of Care
- BASIC: Better Attitudes and Skills in Children
- Youth Suicide Prevention
- Erase the Stigma
- Statewide Family Support Network
- Homeless Services for Children & Youth
- Early Childhood Care Consultation Services
- Early Intervention and Prevention Program
- Adolescent Substance Use Disorders Services Program
Crisis Hotlines
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, don't be ashamed or afraid to ask for help.
Crisis hotlines serve as crucial, 24/7 resources for individuals that are feeling sad, lonely, anxious, depressed, hopeless, powerless over drugs or alcohol, are having mood swings, hearing voices others don't, having racing thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself or others.
If you're experiencing one of these emotions and need someone to talk to, don't wait to reach out. Call one of these crisis hotlines for support today:
- Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line 855-274-7471
- Crisis Hotline 330-747-2696
- Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network Textline text “TN” to 741741
- Crisis Textline text "NAMI" to 741741
- Warmline 1-866-303-peer (7337)
- Tennessee REDLINE 1-800-889-9789
- Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255
- Addiction Hotline 1-877-226-3111
- Eating Disorder Hotline 1-844-228-2962
- Self-harm Hotline 1-877-455-0628
- Depression Hotline 1-888-640-5174
Remember--you are never alone, and help is only one phone call or text away.
Losing Someone to Suicide or Substance Abuse
Losing a loved one who struggled with substance abuse or a mental health disorder can be painful and can feel isolating.
Healing Conversations is a national resource that provides survivors of suicide loss the opportunity to speak with volunteers, who are themselves loss survivors.
Connect with a Healing Conversations coordinator today at (615) 601-0502 or HCCTennessee@afsp.org to begin your journey to healing.
Share these resources with someone in your life who is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis or living with grief from suicide loss.