Tennessee State University Suicide Outreach, Prevention, Intervention and Postvention and Mental

Health Wellness Promotion Plan

The Suicide Outreach, Prevention, Intervention and Postvention and Mental Health Wellness Promotion Plan was
developed to mitigate risk for suicidality among students matriculating at Tennessee State University as suicide is
the second leading cause of death among college students with students of color presenting with higher intense
responses to distress that include anxiety, depression, mood disorder, and self-harming behaviors. Additionally,
House Bill 1354, which became effective July 1, 2019 and the supporting framework from the Higher Education
Suicide Prevention Outreach and Prevention Curriculum Toolkit structure efforts included as a part of the plan for
suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention as a campus-wide, community support to students, faculty and
staff. These strategies promote the mental health wellness of students and lessen the risk of suicide.

Prevention
Efforts for prevention include training of students, faculty and staff through a variety of options to aid in responding
to needs of someone who presents with distress and getting them connected to the resources and supports and reduce
risk of deaths by suicide. Prevention is intended to educate the campus community and promote mental health
wellness through disseminating information including this plan, programming, and partnerships across the university
and community groups that advocate for suicide prevention efforts.

Intervention
Evidenced-based models are suicide prevention are offered through the university such as Question, Persuade, and
Refer for general members of the campus community and Mental Health First Aid for faculty and staff who have
high frequency contact. Virtual options are available. Additionally, UCC staff engages in other training
opportunities and utilizes screening tools to assess risk and develop plans to reduce risk of self-harming behaviors.

Postvention
Support of those involved and responders to a death by suicide help mitigate trauma responses that later present
more distressing is imperative. The notification of a student death will be made by the Dean of Students and internal
and external resources subsequently employed as a part of the University’s Critical Incident Response as
appropriate. Mobilization of counseling staff and other responders will occur as a part of the notification process.
Counseling staff will lead contacts with close friends, roommates, teammates or organizations members, or others
who have closer connections to the deceased.

University Counseling Center

Telebehavioral Health provided through a secure, Zoom platform is available for most visits at this time.
Let’s Talk (drop-in, brief, informal consultations) via Zoom
Monday & Wednesday Meeting ID: 999 8894 3554
Tuesday & Thursday Meeting ID: 948 6849 7684
Phone: 615.963.5611 | Email: counseling@tnstate.edu
Webpage: www.tnstate.edu/counseling | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsu_counselingservices/

If you have a crisis or urgent concern, please contact TSU PD at 615.963.5171 or 911 from campus to reach
the therapist on call.

Available to Students, Faculty, Staff, and Community Members is a behavioral health screening to complete a brief
check-in about how you are doing: https://bit.ly/TSUMHSCREEN

Crisis Hotlines:

TN Mobile Crisis: 1.855.274.7471 or 615.726.0125 (Davidson County Area)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)

Veterans Crisis Line 1.800.273.8255 (option 1 or text 838255)
Trevor Project: 866. 488.7386
TN Suicide Prevention Text Line: Text 741 741

Additional information and the comprehensive Suicide Outreach, Prevention, Intervention and Postvention and
Mental Health Wellness Promotion Plan can found be at http://bit.ly/TSUSuicidePrevention . The plan is
updated twice per year and disseminated to the campus community.

TSU-21-030(A)-15C-50520-Tennessee State University is an AA/EEO employer