University President, County Mayor sign Suicide Prevention Awareness Month proclamation

^{Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts (left) and Carson-Newman University President Charles A. Fowler sign a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.}

(Sept. 4, 2019) JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — In support of efforts by the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, Carson-Newman University President Charles A. Fowler and Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts signed Tuesday a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adults 25-34 in the state and the third leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 24, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the dedicated officials of local government, including Mayor Mark Potts, in bringing awareness to this heartbreaking need,” Fowler said. “The Carson-Newman Counseling Department has been actively involved in these efforts and, under the leadership of Counselor Shannon Tuell, has several excellent initiatives planned for our campus and community throughout the month.”

Those activities will include an awareness-raising event during the men’s and women’s home soccer game against Lincoln Memorial at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18. Attendees will have the chance to win prizes, including T-shirts, and will receive information about important resources that are available for those at risk.

Tennessee was the first state that recognized Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, according to the TSPN, which is the statewide organization responsible for implementing the state’s strategy for suicide prevention. For more information, visit: tspn.org

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) provides access to trained telephone counselors, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts-based university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The University is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and has over 2,500 students. Carson-Newman offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.