September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month

September 12, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County recorded three suicide deaths in 2018 for a rate of 14.9 per 100,000 population according to statistics reported by the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

Unlike previous years, this year’s report used crude rather than age-adjusted suicide rates. 2018 numbers are the latest for which county-specific figures are available.

The DeKalb suicide rate is below the state average of 17.1 per 100,000 population for 2018.

County Mayor Tim Stribling and Smithville Mayor Josh Miller recently signed a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Month in DeKalb County and Smithville. Jennifer Matthews and Lisa Cripps of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition and Kristi Paling, Regional Coordinator at the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth joined Mayors Stribling and Miller for the signing.

Clay County had the highest suicide rate among the fourteen counties of the Upper Cumberland Region in 2018 at 38.8 per 100,000 with three deaths. Fentress County had the lowest rate in the Upper Cumberland with one reported suicide in 2018. Bledsoe County recorded the highest suicide rate in the state at 52.4 per 100,000 with 7 deaths and Carroll County was among the lowest at 4.1 per 100,000 with 1 death.

DeKalb County’s crude suicide rate in 2017 was 15.1 per 100,000 with 3 deaths; 41.3 per 100,000 with 8 deaths in 2016 and at 26.1 per 100,000 with 5 deaths in 2015. The rate was 15.6 per 100,000 with 3 deaths in 2014, 15.7 per 100,000 with 3 deaths in 2013, and 15.9 per 100,000 with 3 deaths in 2012.

The proclamations signed by Mayors Stribling and Miller are as follows:

WHEREAS, suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic events a family and a community can experience, with more than 1100 lives lost in Tennessee each year and an estimated 25 attempted suicides for each suicide death; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the 9th-leading cause of all deaths in Tennessee, the second-leading cause of death among youth ages of 10 to 14, as well as young adults ages 25-34 and the third leading cause for children ages 15 to 24; and

WHEREAS, more than three lives a day are lost to suicide in Tennessee, which means we lose 21 Tennesseans each week and 97 people per month; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee veterans, active-duty military, and National Guardsmen face a disproportionate risk as compared to the general population, with more dying from suicide than combat; and

WHEREAS, public awareness of this tragic problem is the key to preventing further suffering and loss of life; and the risk for human self-destruction can be reduced through awareness, education and treatment as the highest risk for suicide is among the survivors of those who died by suicide or those who have attempted suicide; and

WHEREAS, suicide prevention has been declared a state priority by the Governor; and the Tennessee Legislature has declared teen suicide prevention as a state priority in partnership with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network to implement the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee is a national leader in the effort to prevent suicide, being one of the first states to develop a suicide prevention and evaluation plan covering the lifespan; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of Tennessee has appointed a Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council to coordinate the implementation of the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is a grassroots collaboration of Tennesseans and organizations working to eliminate the stigma of suicide, educate the community about the warning signs of suicide, and ultimately reduce the rate of suicide in our state; and

WHEREAS, every member of our community should understand that throughout life’s struggles, we all need occasional reminders that we all are silently fighting our own battles; and

WHEREAS, we encourage all Tennesseans to take the time to inquire as to the well being of their family, friends, and to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture they deem appropriate. A simple phone call, message, handshake, or hug can go a long way towards helping someone realize that suicide is not the answer;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tim Stribling, Mayor of DeKalb County, and Josh Miller, Mayor of the City of Smithville, do hereby proclaim September, 2021 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in DeKalb County and Smithville, Tennessee and do urge all citizens to work to prevent suicide and to raise awareness and tolerance around all people affected by this tragedy.

In almost all cases, suicide can be traced to unrecognized, untreated, or poorly treated mental illness. It can happen to people of either sex, any race or ethnicity, and any economic status. The average suicide death leaves behind six survivors—family and friends of the deceased—all of whom are at increased risk for a suicide attempt themselves. As if the emotional and psychological toll were not enough, suicide and suicide attempts cost the state of Tennessee $1 billion a year in medical treatment, lost wages, and lost productivity.

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) and its allies in the public health, mental health, and social service fields are joining forces to recognize the month of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. During this annual observance, TSPN and its allies arrange several educational and memorial events across Tennessee. These projects help teach the general public about the problem of suicide and how it can be prevented. They also provide an opportunity to remember those lost to suicide; to encourage survivors of suicide, survivors of suicide attempts, and people who have triumphed over mental illness; and to recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to suicide prevention efforts in our state.

Details about the Suicide Prevention Awareness Day observance and other events planned across the state will be announced on the TSPN website (www.tspn.org). Additional information about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is available from the TSPN central office at (615) 297-1077 or tspn@tspn.org.

You can reach out for help and hope by contacting the crisis text line. Simple text “TN” to 741 741 or call 1-800-273-8255.

September 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The number of positive cases of COVID in the DeKalb County School District and those quarantined have dropped considerably this week (9-7 to 9-10) from where they were the previous week (8-30 to 9-3).

The district reported 34 positive cases on Tuesday, September 7 compared to 113 cases on Monday, August 30. By Friday, September 10 the number had ticked up to 39 but still way down from the 92 positive cases reported on Friday, September 3.

The number of those quarantined on Tuesday, September 7 district-wide was 173, down from 252 on Monday, August 30. By Friday, September 10 the number of quarantined had dropped to 168, down from 271 on Friday, September 3.

According to Attendance Supervisor Joey Reeder, the DeKalb School District reported 34 positive cases on Tuesday, September 7 with DCHS having the most at 23 followed by DeKalb Middle School 6, Northside Elementary 3, Smithville Elementary School 1 and DeKalb West School with 1 case. By Friday, September 10 the number of positive cases district wide had gone up to 39 with DCHS having 17 followed by DeKalb Middle School 13, Northside Elementary 5, Smithville Elementary 4, and DeKalb West School with 0.

The number of those quarantined district-wide was at 173 on Tuesday, September 7. DCHS had the most quarantined at 42 followed by DeKalb Middle School and Smithville Elementary each with 38, Northside Elementary 31, and DeKalb West School 24. By Friday, September 10, the number of quarantined district-wide had dropped to 168 with DCHS again having the most at 38 followed by Northside Elementary 36, Smithville Elementary 35, DeKalb Middle School 32 and DeKalb West School 27.

The district reported 15 absences among the staff on Friday, September 10 due to positive cases or quarantine. That’s down from 27 on Friday, September 3. DCHS had the most at 5 followed by the cafeteria department 3, Northside Elementary, DeKalb West, and Smithville Elementary each with 2, DeKalb Middle School 1, and the transportation department 0.

According to Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, the schools are basically relying on parents to report cases of COVID.

“We are not checking temperatures at the door and we don’t get reports from the medical profession saying someone has COVID. We rely on parents to call and tell us. Once we have a positive case we send letters home and a remind app to notify parents that their child is in a classroom where there has been a positive COVID student with possible exposures. We tell the parents that they have the option to quarantine their child and we advise them to please look for signs and symptoms. If the child shows signs, we ask the parents to keep the child home for a few days. Because of the number of students, we are unable to contact trace,” said Director Cripps.

Although remote learning is not an option, students at home can keep up with their homework from packets sent home to them or via Google Classroom.

September 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

After losing to Macon County on the road last week, the DeKalb County Tigers were hoping to get back to their winning ways Friday night at Watertown but those dreams were doused as the Purple Tigers prevailed 38-20.

With the loss DeKalb County drops to 1-2 on the season while Watertown evens its record to 2-2.

The Tigers will now return home to face the Cumberland County Jets next Friday night, September 17. Kick-Off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

The Jets are 2-2 with wins over Whitwell 35-0 and Lenoir City 17-7. Their losses have been to Monterey 21-7 and Upperman 41-7.

After playing to a scoreless tie through the 1st period, Watertown got the first points of the game Friday night on a 2 yard touchdown run by Adam Cooper with 11:40 left in the 2nd period. Trey Pack added the PAT and Watertown led 7-0.

Isaac Knowles later forced a Watertown turnover and then scored on a 4 yard touchdown run with 6:13 left in the 2nd period. The PAT attempt by Axel Aranda was no good but DeKalb County was on the board trailing 7-6.

Watertown extended its lead to 10-6 with 2:45 left in the 2nd period on a 27 yard field goal by Trey Pack and that was the halftime score.

The Purple Tigers widened the gap with 7:27 left in the 3rd period as Adam Cooper scored on a 64 yard touchdown run. Pack tacked on the extra point and Watertown led 17-6.

Watertown quarterback Brayden Cousino added another score for his team on a 5 yard touchdown run later in the 3rd period. The PAT by Pack was good and Watertown held a 24-6 advantage.

Nathaniel Crook put DeKalb County on the board again with 11:40 left in the 4th period on a 1 yard touchdown run. A 2 point conversion attempt failed but the Tigers drew closer trailing 24-12.

Watertown answered on a pick six by Kaden Seay who returned a DC interception 50 yards for a touchdown with 6:36 left in the 4th period. Pack kicked through the PAT and the Purple Tigers were in command 31-12.

DeKalb County added one more score on a 62 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Briz Trapp to Isaac Knowles with 5:53 left in the game. Knowles then completed a 2 point conversion play to cut the Watertown lead to 31-20.

Watertown put the game out of reach with 5:39 left in the game on a 52 yard touchdown run by Kwame Seay. Trey Pack added the extra point and the Purple Tigers went on to win 38-20.

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