Tennessee youth suicide prevention and early intervention grant program - the tennessee department of mental health and substance abuse services (TDMHSAS) proposes CONNECT3 to support statewide…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services $735,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to implement Connect3, a statewide youth suicide prevention and early intervention initiative.

The project delivers capacity building, early identification, referral, care coordination, continuity of care, specialized training, and system-level improvements targeting 5,000 youth and young adults across all 95 Tennessee counties over five years (750 in year one; 1,063 annually in years two through five). Work is performed in Nashville, Tennessee, with performance extending through September 29, 2031.

TDMHSAS partners with multiple organizations for project execution: Centerstone Research Institute conducts evaluation; Youth Villages, Mental Health Cooperative, Helen Ross McNabb Center, and Frontier Health deliver services; and the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and Jason Foundation provide specialized training. The evaluation component measures effectiveness and outcomes of suicide prevention and intervention strategies deployed across the response system.

Tennessee's focus population comprises urban and rural areas with elevated poverty and unemployment. The state's suicide rate of 17.9 exceeds the national rate of 14.7, with nearly 1,300 suicides in 2022. Among the target population aged 10 to 17, suicidal ideation increased 24 percent from 2019 to 2023, and non-fatal intentional self-injury hospitalization rates rose 14 percent. In state schools, 23 percent of students seriously considered suicide and 13 percent attempted suicide one or more times.

Tennessee youth suicide prevention and early intervention grant program - the tennessee department of mental health and substance abuse services (TDMHSAS) proposes CONNECT3 to support statewide capacity building, early identification, referral, care coordination, continuity of care, training, and system-level improvements related to youth suicide prevention and early intervention for 5,000 youth/young adults across a statewide project area including all 95 tennessee counties (YR 1: 750; YRS 2-5: 1,063/YR). The focus area is the state of tennessee, comprising urban and rural populations experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment that contribute to high risk for suicidal ideation/behaviors among youth/young adults. Approximately 1,160,900 tennessee youth/young adults are enrolled in the state's medicaid program, and roughly 27% of those under 18 are in supplemental nutrition assistance program. Tennessee's suicide rate for the state (17.9) exceeds the national rate (14.7), and nearly 1,300 tennesseans died by suicide in 2022. Among the focus population, 21% live in poverty; nearly 11% of area youth ages 18-24 did not graduate high school. From 2019 to 2023 among tennessee youth aged 10-17, suicidal ideation increased by 24% and the hospital visit rate for non-fatal intentional self-injury increased by 14%. In state schools, 42% of students felt so SAD they stopped usual activities, 23% seriously considered suicide, 18% made a plan, 13% attempted 1+ times. TDMHSAS will partner with area organizations for project evaluation (centerstone research institute), service delivery (youth villages, mental health cooperative, helen ross mcnabb center, and frontier health), and training (tennessee suicide prevention network and jason foundation) to provide suicide prevention/interventions and specialized training as part of a statewide suicide risk response system. Evaluation will measure the effectiveness and outcomes of youth suicide prevention/intervention strategies and report participant outcomes and progress and performance regarding infrastructure development. Service providers will use evidence-based approaches including C-ssrs, relate, stanley brown safety planning, calm, to provide follow-up services and care continuity. Training providers will utilize a variety of evidence-based practices (e.g., safetalk, mental health first aid) to improve the competence/confidence of professionals serving youth ages 10-24. Also, CONNECT3 will strengthen public/private collaborations and support/educate local school personnel to reduce challenges/barriers to student help-seeking, enhance community support, and reduce the possibility of contagion. Outcomes will contribute to the reduction in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts by 30% and suicide deaths by 10%; enhance/expand integration of trauma-informed, evidence-based suicide prevention and intervention strategies into policies, procedures, partnerships, and operations statewide; and ensure youth/family/caregiver involvement at state/local levels. CONNECT3 will develop a youth advisory leadership council comprising stakeholders and focus population members, who will support CONNECT3'S goals/objectives: (goal 1) improving early identification of suicide risk and mental/emotional disorders among tennessee youth; (goals 2) expanding access to needed treatment/interventions and recovery supports; (goals 3, 4 & 5) increasing capacity and awareness across communities, stakeholders, and providers statewide; (goals 6 & 7) and monitoring reductions in state suicide rates, delivering quality services, documenting the model for dissemination/replication, and supporting service sustainability.