[NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The Middle Tennessee chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) says a new law passed by the 110th General Assembly is expected to help reduce the state’s growing suicide rate. Governor Bill Haslam signed the Ken and Madge Tullis Suicide Prevention Training Act of 2017 into law Wednesday.

The Tullis Act aims to reduce the number of suicides by equipping the state’s licensed mental health professionals to better address the issue. Suicide deaths outnumber homicide deaths in
Tennessee by more than two to one; it is the number two killer of youth ages 10‐14 and adults ages 25‐34.

“We lose over 950 Tennesseans to suicide each year. If we are going to reduce this rate and save lives, it is imperative that the people treating those at risk know what to do to help those who are having thoughts of suicide,” said Shannon Hall, AFSP Middle TN chapter chair.

“Studies indicate that not all professionals are properly trained in assessing, treating, and managing suicidal people, nor do they know how to refer them for proper treatment,” he added.

The AFSP worked with several mental health advocacy organizations over the past three years to win passage of the Tullis Act, including the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN), co‐founded by the bill’s namesakes, Ken and Madge Tullis of Memphis.

TSPN Executive Director Scott Ridgway said suicide prevention, intervention and postvention training for the state’s licensed counselors was always encouraged among counselors in Tennessee but not explicitly required. “Now, people in Tennessee can be assured of the knowledge that the counselor they work with, or the one they entrust their loved ones to, will be able to help them through a suicide crisis,” he said.

The measure requires that two of the training hours mental health workers already receive for licensure be specifically in suicide prevention. The law affects counselors, marital and family
therapists, pastoral therapists, social workers, alcohol and drug abuse counselors and occupational therapists.

For more information on local and regional suicide prevention efforts, resources and activities,
please visit the AFSP Middle Tennessee chapter web page: afsp.org/chapter/afsp-middle-tennessee/