Committees
In an effort to draw upon the expertise of the various Council members in areas of key interest, the Network has established standing committees. Each committee has a chair on the Advisory Council Executive Committee. Each committee chair will serve as the leader of that committee to which they will provide committee reports and recommendations to the Council. Advisory Council subcommittees’ recommendations will support the continued advancement and development of TSPN towards more effectively accomplishing its mission.
Any Network volunteer can be a part of our committees, serving alongside our Advisory Council and Emeritus Group members. For more information about joining a committee, email the corresponding staff liaison at the email address below.
Outreach
The Outreach Committee assists in the planning of any outreach activities related to the Network throughout the year and updates the Network regarding activities across the state relevant to suicide prevention.
Staff Liaison:
Emily Jernigan
Advocacy
The Advocacy Committee assists the Network in making any changes to its resolutions and working with legislators on local, state, and national levels to develop and implement legislation related to suicide prevention and related mental health issues.
Staff Liaison:
Justin Johnson
Strategies & Implementation
The Strategies, Outcomes, and Evaluation Committee assists the Network in overseeing any changes relevant to the Network’s strategies, implementation of such strategies, brochures, and other areas of interest.
Staff Liaison:
Mike Anderson
Emeritus Group
TSPN Advisory Council established the Emeritus Group in 2014 to recognize TSPN Advisory Council members who had rotated off the group but still wanted to remain actively involved with Network projects and activities, and to honor Council members who had provided outstanding service to TSPN and to suicide prevention efforts within our state.
The title of “Emeritus” is given to those who have shown dedication and distinguished service to TSPN over two years and/or one gubernatorial appointment to the Advisory Council. The title of “Emeritus” may be given upon rotation off the Advisory Council. It is not automatic, but rather it must be recommended by and approved through application procedures. Please see the TSPN Emeritus Application above to nominate a former Advisory Council member to the Group.
In addition to Dr. and Mrs. Tullis, the Emeritus Group honors the following former Advisory Council members. Current active members continue to represent TSPN at Network functions and other events across the state. Retired or former members have stepped away from active involvement in the Emeritus Group due to professional or personal obligations, but TSPN would like to acknowledge their past contributions.
Emeritus Group Members
Karyl Chastain Beal (Chair), Community Advocate
Sabrina Anderson, Boys and Girls Club of Jackson
Dr. Pam Arnell, 22ZERO
Stephanie Barger, Monroe Harding
Kathy Benedetto, Community Advocate
Renee Brown, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. (Memphis) VA Medical Center
Carol Kelly-Burroughs, Henderson County Schools
Teresa Kimbro Culbreath, Community Advocate
Adam Graham, TBD Solutions Inc.
Ben Harrington, Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
Jennifer Harris, St. Thomas Health Services
Kim Rush King, NAMI Tennessee
Inactive Emeritus Group Members
Jodi Bartlett, retired
Sam D. Bernard, Bernard & Associates PC
Granger Brown, Community Advocate
Clark Flatt, the Jason Foundation, Inc.
Anne Henning-Rowan, retired
Misty Leitsch, One More Day
Harold Leonard, private practice
Claudia Mays, private practice
Stephanie Robb, Behavioral Health Initiatives
Anna Shugart, Community Advocate
Judith Johnson, Community Advocate
Eileen Wallach, Your Heart on Art, Inc.
Intra-State Departmental Group
The Intra-State Departmental Group is an assembly of appointed representatives of the state departments, commissions, and councils who provide supplementary guidance to the Advisory Council on an ex officio basis.
The Intra-State Departmental Group meets virtually prior to regularly scheduled TSPN Advisory Council meetings but may also meet during these gatherings. Members of this group attend Advisory Council meetings but do not vote on proposals.
Current Members
Terrence (Terry) Love, MS, CPC (Chair), Injury Prevention Manager, Division of Family Health and Wellness, Tennessee Department of Health,
Melissa Alardo, BA, Program Director, Suicide Prevention, Division of Family Health and Wellness, Tennessee Department of Health, melissa.alardo@tn.gov
Cathy V. Blakely, Victim Services Coordinator, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, cathy.blakely@tn.gov
Bruce E. Davis, Ph.D., Executive Director of Human Resources, Tennessee Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities,
Elizabeth Davis, Ed.S, Program Manager, TN AWARE, Tennessee Department of Education, elizabeth.j.davis@tn.gov
Melisa Fuhrmeister, Data & Fiscal Coordinator, Tennessee Department of Education, melisa.fuhrmeister@tn.gov
Shannon Geames, MA, Director of Learning and Development, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, shannon.geames@tn.gov
Gwen Hamer, MA, CPC, Director, Education and Development, Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services,
Shannon Jones, Aging Program Administrator, Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, shannon.jones@tn.gov
Tatum Johnson, RN, Assistant State Public Health Nursing Director, Tennessee Department of Health, tatum.h.johnson@tn.gov
Sherlean Lybolt, MA, LSPE, Behavioral Health Programs Coordinator, Tennessee Department of Correction, sherlean.lybolt@tn.gov
Melissa McGee, Children's Mental Health Advocacy Director, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, melissa.mcgee@tn.gov
Carol Coley McDonald, Assistant Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, carol.mcdonald@tn.gov
Travis Murphy, Assistant Commissioner, Appeals and Accreditation, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, travis.murphy@tn.gov
Jacqueline Talley, Treatment Program Specialist, Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services,
jackie.talley@tn.gov
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The Lifeline is a free 24/7, confidential, short-term crisis counseling line for those experiencing distress. It is a myth that 988 is only for suicidal individuals; it is available to everyone. Call, text, or chat 988 if you are overwhelmed, stressed, and need to talk with a trained counselor.
This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.