Suicide Prevention Websites & Resources
Learn more about what you can do to prevent suicide.
Suicide Prevention Efforts in Robertson County
In March of 2024, the Robertson County Health Council was recognized by the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) and the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug, & Other Addiction Services (TAADAS) as a suicide prevention champion in a rural community. As part of this recognition, the Health Council was awarded an ESSENCE grant in the amount of $10,000 to create a Rapid Response Plan. The Health Council established an ESSENCE grant planning committee. This committee was charged with developing a Rapid Response Plan that could be mobilized if ESSENCE reports noted an above-baseline number of people reporting to emergency departments for suicide-related behavior, including suicidal ideation, intentional self-harm, and/or suicide attempts. The Rapid Response Plan involves collaborating with community partners to raise awareness, communicate hope, disseminate available resources, increase available trainings, and provide information that may assist individuals in need.
What is ESSENCE?
ESSENCE stands for the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics. In Tennessee, the Department of Health is using ESSENCE to monitor weekly trends in suicidal behavior and identify regions/counties across the state seeing increased incidents of persons reporting to an emergency department for suicide-related behavior. The ESSENCE alert captures data across the lifespan and covers ages 5 – 17, 18 – 24, 25 – 44, 45 – 64, and over 65 years old. Anyone can receive an ESSENCE alert. To sign up for ESSENCE alerts in your community visit click here.
Why are suicide prevention efforts important in rural communities?
Research shows that rural communities generally have a higher suicide rate than urban communities. As such, it is important that community partners within rural communities work together to provide information, resources, training, and access to care for individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges so as to prevent suicide.
Reaching ALL of Robertson County
The Health Council wants to bring awareness, resources, and training to ALL of Robertson County. If you have suggestions on how we can reach specific populations within our county, or have ideas on things the Health Council can do in Robertson County to increase awareness and prevent suicide, please join us at the next Health Council meeting and share your ideas with us. The Robertson County Health Council meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Highland Crest Campus (150 Laureate Avenue, Springfield, TN 37172).
Look for the 988 Lifeline tent at a Robertson County event near you! The 988 tent has reversible walls, one side has the 988 messaging in English and the other has the 988 messaging in Spanish. Pictured above are members of the Robertson County Health Council during the February 2025 Health Council meeting.
Raising Awareness in Robertson County
Members of the Robertson County Health Council were raising awareness about the 988 Lifeline at a recent Back 2 School Bash. The Back 2 School Bash was hosted by Cho-Zen and Social Dweebs Sports on July 26th at the Springfield Center. This event was attended by approximately 1,478 individuals and provided much needed school supplies, resources, and services to 925 school-aged students. Members of the Health Council were on site handing out 988 water bottles to those in attendance.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ~ 2025 Outreach
The Robertson County Health Council invited elected officials (state, county, and city), local law enforcement and first responders, the Board of Education, chambers of commerce, faith leaders, and mental health organizations to join us for our September Health Council meeting which occurred on World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day (September 10th). We had an amazing turnout for this event! We are thankful for a community that comes together to help spread awareness, point individuals to available resources, and work together to prevent suicide. We are stronger together. During this meeting we shared about the amazing work that the Robertson County Health Council has been doing to promote suicide prevention awareness. In fact, the Robertson County Health Council has been doing such a wonderful job that it was recently selected as the recipient for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network’s Statewide Community Award at the 2025 Tennessee Suicide Prevention Statewide Conference!
The Robertson County Health Council is thankful for Robertson County Mayor Billy Vogle for recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and encouraging all citizens to work to prevent suicide and to raise awareness.
The Robertson County Health Council is also thankful for Coopertown Mayor, Jeff Smith, for recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and encouraging all residents of Coopertown to work to prevent suicide and raise awareness and compassion around all people affected by suicide. Thank you Mayor Smith!
