FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Voices for a Safer Tennessee Hosted Statewide Suicide Prevention Discussion
Panel Addressed Mental Health and Firearm Safety Solutions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – To mark the conclusion of National Suicide Prevention Month, a diverse panel of Tennesseans shared their deeply personal stories and expert insights to confront the alarming reality of Tennessee’s rising suicide rate. The webinar was hosted by Voices for a Safer Tennessee—a nonpartisan organization dedicated to creating safer, healthier communities by reducing preventable firearm-related tragedies—to highlight the urgent need for action and community-driven solutions to address this crisis.

The panelists included:

• Eric Barnes (Moderator), Publisher and CEO of The Daily Memphian
• Penny Anderson, Chief Development and External Affairs Officer for Operation Stand Down Tennessee
• Annette Lake, Survivor and Suicide Prevention Advocate
• Judge Eddie Lauderback, Circuit Court, First Judicial District of the State of Tennessee
• Lucy White, Counselor, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, College of Medicine in Chattanooga

Tennesseans are 20% more likely to die by suicide than their peers nationwide, and are nearly 50% more likely to die by suicide using a firearm. The panelists agreed that access to mental health services, temporary transfer laws, expanding background checks and secure firearm storage would reduce these tragic suicide rates.

“Two out of three suicides are committed by a firearm in Tennessee,” said Erin Rogus, Voices for a Safer Tennessee policy director. “We all know suicide is a tragic, complicated issue, but it’s often preventable, and that gives us hope.”

Annette Lake, a suicide prevention advocate from Middle Tennessee who lost her father and her son to suicide within a year of one another, said destigmatizing mental health issues continues to be a crucial step in communities across Tennessee. “The more we talk about it, the more work we do to help each other to identify solutions and start screenings early, the better off we will be,” said Lake.

Washington County Circuit Court Judge Eddie Lauderback has lost two friends to suicide. Now, he advocates for secure firearm storage and encourages parents to talk about how firearms are stored in the homes of family and friends. He also recommended a process to give judges the authority to temporarily remove firearms from those who pose a risk to themselves or others.

Penny Anderson of Operation Stand Down Tennessee, which connects veterans and their families with comprehensive services, said veterans in the state are more likely to own and to use a firearm to take their own lives. In fact, 87% of Tennessee veterans who die by suicide do so by using a firearm. Anderson emphasized early intervention “to get ahead of the darkest day of someone’s life.” She recommended a buddy program they use with veterans, with regular texts and calls to check in on a friend or loved one going through a hard time, as well as posting photos of kids, loved ones, pets, whatever “ties you to this world,” where firearms are stored as a suicide deterrent.

The key takeaways from the discussion included:

• The need for awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline and other mental health resources in Tennessee.
• The vital importance of securely storing firearms in a locked compartment or with a cable or trigger lock to prevent access for those in a mental health crisis. Delaying access by as little as 10 minutes can be the difference in saving a life.
• Exploring the feasibility of temporary transfer laws or other legal mechanisms to temporarily remove firearms from individuals in crisis.
• Expanding background check requirements for firearm purchases to prevent purchase by those who have been involuntarily committed and are at risk of harming themselves.
• Encouraging open conversations within families and communities about mental health, firearm safety and suicide prevention.

Chattanooga counselor Lucy White has worked with clients and their families struggling with mental illness and seen them recover. “I’m here to be able to communicate the hope that could be on the other side of the worst day of your life, and I’ve been able to see people get better,” said White.

To view a recording of the webinar, click here.

Learn more about the work of Voices for a Safer Tennessee and how you can get involved at safertn.org.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, know that help is available. Call or text 988, then press 0, for 24/7 free and confidential support. Visit preventsuicidetn.com to learn about resources available in your area.

About Voices for a Safer Tennessee
Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition dedicated to prioritizing pragmatic firearm safety laws and promoting responsible firearm ownership to make communities across our state safer. Safer TN was founded by neighbors, friends, colleagues and community members who came together with a shared desire for change following the tragic events of March 27, 2023, at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. The organization brings voters and lawmakers together by leading conversations, sharing diverse perspectives and finding commonality to champion the bipartisan change that the majority of Tennessee voters support. Learn more at safertn.org.

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