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News: Roane State helps raise awareness of suicide prevention resources

Lisa Steffensen, left, dean of students, and Sarah Walsh, regional director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network during a brief ceremony in the Coffey-McNally Building of the community college’s Oak Ridge Branch Campus to sign a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Lisa Steffensen, left, dean of students, and Sarah Walsh, regional director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network during a brief ceremony in the Coffey-McNally Building of the community college’s Oak Ridge Branch Campus to sign a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

August 31, 2020

Roane State has joined efforts to recognize September as “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month” and observe the 20th anniversary of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

Dr. Chris Whaley, president of the community college, signed a proclamation to that effect during a brief ceremony on August 25 in the Coffey-McNally Building on the Oak Ridge campus.

“This is putting the appropriate spotlight on mental health and well-being,” said Dr. Whaley, adding that records show more than 1,200 students in the nation’s higher education institutions committed suicide last school year.

“The Roane State Counseling Services Office would like to bring attention to this important issue,” college counselor Jeff Snell stated in an email. Three RSCC campuses now have sidewalk decals in high traffic areas that include resources for students in crisis. The decals list Tennessee’s statewide crisis hotline of 1-855-CRISIS-1 (274-7471) as well as a crisis text line which can be contacted 24/7 by texting “TN” to 741-741.

Snell said there is also a 24-hour national hotline for those who are seeking help or might be contemplating suicide. The number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Sarah Walsh, East Tennessee regional director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, spoke at the August 25 event at Roane State. She highlighted a free virtual event titled “Zoom In, Zoom Out” from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24. The movie “Scattering CJ” will be shown, followed by conversations about mental health and suicide. The movie confronts persistent stigmas about mental health. To register, visit the following link: bit.ly/TSPNevent.

Walsh said there is also a statewide virtual event planned for Wednesday, September 9, titled “Vision of Hope” that will feature a question-and-answer session and dedication of the 17th Suicide Memorial Quilt. To register for that event, visit tspn2020.eventbrite.com.

For more information on counseling services at Roane State, visit roanestate.edu/counseling. Additional info on the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network can be found at www.tspn.org.

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