Suicide Awareness and Mental Health Careers Focus of Upcoming Field Trip
The rise in the suicide rate across Tennessee (and in the country) has brought attention to the importance of caring for one’s mental health as well as supporting those struggling with depression and other similar challenges. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, suicide is a leading cause of death across the United States and continues to be a growing public health problem in Tennessee. Also noted is suicide is the third leading cause of death in Tennessee for people ages 10-24 years old, and those numbers do include homeschoolers.
As part of its Discovering Your Own Destiny field trip series, Homeschool Roster has scheduled a field trip to tour the West Tennessee Healthcare mental health services department. Students will learn about career opportunities in that field, which include behavior analysts, clinical counselors, guidance counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, and more. They will also learn ways to care for their own mental health and how they can support those around them, who may be struggling.
After my brother’s death in 2018, I became a suicide survivor. The following year, I became an advocate and ASIST certified recognizing the importance and need for ongoing education about suicide awareness and prevention. Homeschool graduate, Isabella DeFir of the band Isabella&Sebastian, realized the importance of caring for her mental health and turned to writing (and singing) music. “Too Late to Fly’ is a song Isabella wrote, which she refers to as her “pride and joy”. She shared the song has gotten many people through very difficult times.
Paula Cupples Terry, Chief Nursing Officer with West Tennessee Healthcare will conduct the Exploring Careers in Mental Health Services tour and shared some reasons why the suicide numbers continue to be so high.
“Pain–they want the pain to go away. Like we take a Tylenol for a headache to go away. People get in such a dark hole, and they think the only answer is suicide. To them suicide is the answer to make the pain go away. It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” said Ms. Terry, who encourages people to seek help for themselves. “Many people think that if they ignore it, it will pass. Do not ignore it. Help is available and we need to let everyone know this.”
If you have a high school student interested in a career in the mental health field, a heart for learning how to help others who may struggling, or just want to know how to better care for mental health, register for the Exploring Careers in Mental Health Services field trip. The tour will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025
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