United Way of Greater Kingsport spreads awareness for Suicide Prevention Month at local football game

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – Ahead of the Dobyns-Bennett and West Ridge High School football game, the United Way of Greater Kingsport spread awareness for Suicide Prevention Month by handing out pom-poms with QR codes linked to mental health resources.

“We’ve created QR codes for both school districts (Kingsport City and Sullivan County), which link to mental health resources on both of their home base web pages,” Kelsie Dulaney, the United Way of Greater Kingsport Education and Impact Manager, said. “So this is a really great way for us to disseminate that information on these pom-poms to promote school spirit and a positive school culture, but also to give out these QR codes so that folks can scan them and have access to those mental health resources.”

Lucy Roberts, a Dobyns Bennett High School junior, said she has friends who’ve benefited from those resources.

“I’m a teenager and I’m a girl, and I’ve struggled with mental health, and I’ve had a lot of supporting friends and teachers who have made me feel seen,” Roberts said. “And they make me feel like my problems are known.”

Roberts is a volleyball player. She said being a student-athlete can be stressful, but she’s found help from family and friends.

“There are times throughout the school year where it’s just like, I feel like I am so drained, and all all I did was I went to my friends, I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m so tired. Could you help me out with this? Mom and dad, Could you help me out with this?’ And luckily, I had support from so many people. And being a student-athlete can be very difficult, but I promise that everything will work out.”

Dulaney said suicide prevention is beneficial to everyone.

“We know that especially in our youth population, and we see suicide numbers rising,” Dulaney said. “We see it among our young adults and especially our elder population, as well. We also know that Sullivan County has an increased number of grandparent caregivers, and so it’s just really important for us to spread this information so that kids and adults know there is help at all times.”

Dulaney encourages healthy discussion about suicide among families.

“It’s also important to dispel the myths that talking about suicide leads to suicide. It does not. Talking to someone asking if they have suicidal thoughts or ideations actually helps them, it’s a part of prevention. It allows them to know they have someone safe to talk to. And so Kingsport is a beautiful, lovely, welcoming community, and we want everyone to know that they’re safe and welcome here.”

Dulaney said there’s 24/7 walk-in clinics available for people struggling with their mental health in the region. She listed Creekside Behavioral Health in Kingsport, Frontier Health-Turning Point in Johnson City, and the Woodridge facility in Johnson City.

There’s also the national 988 suicide and crisis hotline that can be called or texted any time.

United Way is encouraging everyone to wear teal and/or purple on Fridays in September for Suicide Prevention Awareness. Teal and purple are the official colors for suicide awareness, the organization said.

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