tennessee suicide prevention network

What tennessee suicide prevention network does

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, dedicated to reducing suicide and its impact across the state. Operating since approximately 2000, the organization is administratively housed under the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & Other Addiction Services (TAADAS) and serves Tennessee's 95 counties through a network of 10 regional directors. TSPN's primary funder is the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), with additional support from individual and corporate donations.

The organization's core product surface consists of evidence-based suicide prevention curricula — Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST, $85 per seat), Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), safeTALK, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Sources of Strength, and the Zero Suicide Initiative framework — delivered through its regional coordinator network rather than a traditional sales force. It has also operated the ESSENCE-based statewide surveillance system for monitoring suicide-related health indicators, an asset that was delegated to the Tennessee Department of Health in September 2025. Training delivery to the public is mostly free; the only disclosed paid offering is ASIST at $85 per seat, with group discounts available for institutional volume orders of 10 or more seats.

The business model is grant-driven and donor-supported rather than commercially diversified. TDMHSAS state funding is the principal revenue source, supplemented by donations and a modest training-fee stream. There are no enterprise SaaS contracts, no multi-state fee-for-service revenue, and no licensing of proprietary technology in the input. TSPN's competitive position rests on statewide distribution reach, statutory/funder recognition as Tennessee's designated prevention network, and credibility earned through 25 years of continuous operation, a 2025 national case study feature by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), and CDC recognition of its Sources of Strength program.

Name

tennessee suicide prevention network

Legal name

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network

Website

https://tspn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded circa 2000, headquartered in Nashville, that delivers evidence-based suicide prevention training (ASIST, QPR, safeTALK, C-SSRS, Sources of Strength, Zero Suicide Initiative) across all 95 Tennessee counties through 10 regional directors, funded primarily by a TDMHSAS state grant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Suicide Prevention Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Suicide Prevention, Self-Harm Prevention & Threat Assessment Programs (EDAKAMAI), Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Services (EDALAFAD)

Keywords

• Suicide prevention training
• Mental health services
• Crisis intervention
• Community outreach programs
• Postvention coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: TSPN is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. This is the primary funding source for statewide suicide prevention activities.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: TSPN accepts donations to further suicide prevention efforts. TSPN is under the administrative oversight of TAADAS, a 501(c)3 nonprofit registered with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Donations can be made online via PayPal, by check, or through fundraising events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TSPN trains community-based organizations, businesses, schools, and faith communities to recognize suicide warning signs and intervene, using evidence-based curricula such as QPR, ASIST, safeTALK, and CPR-AID. It also coordinates postvention services after a suicide loss, runs support groups, disseminates educational resources, and maintains 10 regional directors across Tennessee.

Product overview

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) is a statewide suicide prevention organization offering a comprehensive suite of training programs and community resources rather than a traditional software product. The core offerings include suicide prevention training programs (QPR, ASIST, safeTALK, C-SSRS, QPR Triage, ACES, and Youth Mental Health First Aid), community programs (Sources of Strength, ESSENCE health monitoring alerts, Zero Suicide Initiative), outreach initiatives (Cups of Hope campaign, S.A.F.E. Congregations Project, Proclamation Project), and support services (Suicide Anonymous groups, grief support groups). TSPN also provides educational materials including brochures, flipbooks, and the Transgender Resource Guide. All programs focus on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services across Tennessee's 10 regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• QPR Gatekeeper Training Evidence-based gatekeeper training that teaches participants to recognize suicide warning signs and intervene by questioning, persuading, and referring individuals to help. Delivered to organizations, schools, workplaces, and community groups.
• ASIST Training Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training program that equips participants with skills to intervene and prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Available for organizational and individual registrations at a nominal fee.
• safeTALK Training Half-day suicide alertness training that prepares participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to intervention resources. Delivered to organizations and community groups.
• CPR-AID Training Suicide prevention training adapted for campus and community settings, combining intervention skills with documentation practices.
• Sources of Strength Evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that uses peer leaders to increase help-seeking behaviors and connect youth to trusted adults. Implemented in schools and youth-serving organizations.
• Zero Suicide Initiative Framework and consultation for healthcare systems to embed suicide safer care practices, screening, and follow-up into clinical workflows.
• S.A.F.E. Congregations Project Faith-community suicide prevention program that equips clergy and congregations to recognize warning signs, support those in crisis, and respond to suicide loss.
• Suicide Anonymous Groups Peer-led support groups for individuals with lived experience of suicidal thoughts, providing a recovery-oriented community.
• Suicide Grief Support Groups Facilitated support groups for individuals bereaved by suicide loss, providing peer support and postvention resources.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Training program that teaches adults how to help youth experiencing mental health or substance use challenges, including risk of suicide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44 million people reached since 2018 through outreach efforts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funding partner. TSPN is funded under a grant contract with TDMHSAS. TSPN is also a proud partner in the Promise to Call campaign, a statewide effort empowering individuals to turn silence into support.
• Tennessee Department of Health (TDH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSPN implements community training and awareness programs supported by TDH. TSPN was referenced in TDH's 2025 Suicide Prevention Annual Report. ESSENCE program responsibility was delegated to TDH in September 2025.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSPN actively promotes the 988 Lifeline across Tennessee and provides resources linking people to this 24/7 crisis counseling service.
• Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & other Addiction Services (TAADAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAADAS is the fiscal agent and provides administrative oversight for TSPN. TSPN is a 501(c)3 nonprofit under TAADAS's registration with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
• Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCCY's 2024 State of the Child report includes suicide statistics relevant to TSPN's youth prevention work. TSPN's Sources of Strength program addresses youth suicide as highlighted in TCCY reporting.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPRC featured Tennessee's ESSENCE system and TSPN's partnership in a national case study on real-time data for suicide prevention. TSPN is listed as a partner organization.
• Tennessee Department of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Farmers Suicide Prevention Task Force (created by TSPN Advisory Council) partnered with the Department of Agriculture to form a proactive response to farmer suicide in Tennessee.
• Tennessee Department of Veteran ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSPN's Veterans Suicide Prevention Task Force worked with the Department of Veteran Services to unite Veteran-serving organizations in suicide prevention. The task force became a permanent committee chaired by the Assistant Commissioner.
• Jason FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth suicide prevention resource listed as a partner on TSPN's Resources page.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational resource center partner providing technical assistance and training for suicide prevention.
• American Association of SuicidologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization partner providing suicide prevention resources and expertise.
• The Jed FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit focused on young adult suicide prevention and mental health support, listed as a partner resource.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Tennessee (NAMI Tennessee)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState affiliate of national mental health organization, listed as partner on Resources page.
• Mental Health America of TennesseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState mental health organization partner providing resources and support.
• Mental Health Association of East TennesseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional mental health organization partner.
• SAMHSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner for suicide prevention resources.
• International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization partner for suicide prevention.
• Suicide is DifferentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuicide prevention resource organization partner.
• Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth suicide prevention program partner.
• Tennessee Mental Health Counselors AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional mental health organization partner.
• FindHelpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services resource directory partner.
• Tennessee Higher Education Suicide Prevention Task ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTask force created by TSPN Advisory Council in 2017 to unite colleges and universities in suicide prevention. Developed white papers, curriculum infusion strategies, and protocol guidelines for higher education institutions.
• Veterans Administration (VA) CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSPN works with VA centers across Tennessee to address suicide prevention among veterans, service personnel, and their families. TSPN promotes the Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, press 1).
• SAMHSA Governor's ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTennessee Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families participates with 35 other states in implementing state-wide suicide prevention best practices for SMVF.
• Blue Star FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary family support organization whose PSAs for active-duty military are referenced on TSPN's military resources page.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Largest national nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention through research, education, advocacy, and loss support. Directly comparable to TSPN in mission and core programming (QPR training, loss support, advocacy), but operates nationally versus TSPN's state-level focus.

Direct peers

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (SAMHSA/Vibrant Emotional Health): National 24/7 crisis intervention service that TSPN directly promotes and routes at-risk individuals to. Closely aligned in crisis support mission and the most direct downstream referral partner.
• Jason Foundation: Youth-focused suicide prevention and awareness organization listed as a partner on TSPN's Resources page. Comparable in delivering youth suicide prevention curricula to schools and communities.
• Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program: Community-based youth suicide prevention program that partners with schools. Directly comparable to TSPN's Sources of Strength and school-based training initiatives.

Emerging players

• The Trevor Project: National organization focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. Comparable to TSPN's LGBTQIA2S+ resource and crisis support work, but with a single-population specialization at national scale.
• The Jed Foundation: Nonprofit protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults, particularly on college campuses. Comparable to TSPN's Higher Education Suicide Prevention Task Force and youth programming.
• Crisis Text Line: National 24/7 text-based crisis intervention service. Overlapping crisis support mission with TSPN's postvention and intervention services, but operating as a tech-enabled crisis platform rather than community-based training.

Others

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): National resource center that provides technical assistance, training, and resources for suicide prevention. Listed as a partner of TSPN and is the entity that featured TSPN's ESSENCE work as a case study.
• International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP): International organization partnering with TSPN for suicide prevention resources and expertise. Comparable at the professional association level, providing global best-practice sharing to TSPN's programmatic work.

Regional players

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Tennessee): Tennessee state affiliate of the national mental health organization, listed as a TSPN partner. Provides mental health support, education, and advocacy in the same Tennessee geography with overlapping constituency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tennessee-suicide-prevention-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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