Although most people, including health professionals, probably think the highest number of suicides occur around the holidays or during the cold, gray winter months, that’s actually not true. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) said research shows the spring months of March and April have the highest suicide rate with a 4-6 percent spike compared to other months.

Despite the higher numbers, however, Tennessee has made significant strides in combatting the issue. Progress includes:

The Tennessee Lives Count grant has provided suicide prevention training to more than 5,500 individuals across the state and enhanced follow-up services with high-risk youth under age 18 in Middle and East regions of the state. The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network has collaborated with counties that have high suicide rates. Currently 11 counties have task forces focused specifically on preventing suicide. Since the formation of these task forces, the counties have seen suicide rates drop as much as 40 percent. Nearly 55,000 teachers received suicide prevention training last year per The Jason Flatt Act of 2007, which calls for two hours of annual training yearly. The TDMHSAS Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 855-CRISIS-1 (274-7471). Callers are connected to local providers for mental health and/or substance abuse services. For more information on available programs, services and resources, go online to state.tn.us/mental.

Tennessee Suicide Facts

More men, women and youth die each year in Tennessee by suicide than by homicide, AIDS or drunk driving. Yearly deaths by suicide are about twice that of deaths by homicide. In 2012, there were 956 suicides compared with 456 homicides in the state. With a rate of 14.8 suicides per 100,000 residents, Tennessee is much higher than the national average of 10.8 suicides per 100,000.  Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 10-24. More teens die by suicide than by cancer and heart disease combined. The highest rate of suicide in Tennessee is for people ages 45-54. About four times as many men as women die by suicide. Suicide rates are higher in rural counties than urban ones.