April 26, 2023 Beau Knowles  Knox LGBT Businesses

I received a message on one of my business Social Media's last night for my new page The East TN LGBTQ Friendly Business Directory. The message was asking for my help spreading the word about an event on Saturday. A Suicide Prevention Awareness Day provided by Bookwalter United Methodist Church in Knoxville TN.  

Let's learn about it together. 

The event is titled "Bookwalter Cares: Suicide Prevention Awareness Day"  It will be this Saturday April 29, 2023 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Check-in begins at 8:00 am) a Light breakfast will be provided, there will be speakers, sharing of resources and a lunch provided as well. 

Pastor Steve Doyal and Outreach Chair Pat Newman set down for an interview with "Living East Tennessee" Reporter Tala Shatara for WATE News. The video of the interview is below this article. On our Facebook Page it will be in the comments. 

What struck me about the interview is how Reverend Doyal spoke about his teen daughter coming out as gay then telling him later in life that she had contemplated suicide. I feel this is common for teens to not be forthcoming with their thoughts of endangering themselves. Listening to this news story and doing some research it reminded me of my own teen years. In my own personal experience, I'm sure I had similar thoughts, as I suspect many teens do in those very awkward years before our minds and our bodies get on the same page. It's my belief that not many teenagers tell their parents what they are thinking, especially if they do not think the parent will approve.  I'm happy to help spread the word about this event and get the information to the right people. 

Looking over the event I see it will be at Bookwalter United Methodist. The address is 4218 Central Ave Pike, Knoxville TN 

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Clark Flatt who is the Founder/CEO of the Jason Foundation www.jasonfoundation.com The Jason Foundation mission statement is "The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth."

When searching for this event I found presenter Molly Moore stated on her public social media post that she " will specifically be speaking on how to support LGBTQ+ Youth. Teens and up are welcome." 

They ask that you preregister. Please follow this link. Fill out form and email it back to Pat whose email is below. REGISTRATION-FORM-SUICIDE-PREVENTION-EVENT-fillable.pdf www.bookwalter-umc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/REGISTRATION-FORM-SUICIDE-PREVENTION-EVENT-fillable.pdf  

If you have questions contact Pat Newman at BUMCCares2023@yahoo.com

This is the church's website http://www.bookwalter-umc.org/  The church social media is on  Facebook at  www.facebook.com/bookwalterum

As you may have guessed I try to insure everyone has the information that they need to thrive in this world. I've collected lists of resources for Suicide prevention you can find my list of HELPLINES on this website under the Mental Health Section of the LGBTQ Resources Directory 

Here are some that I frequently give out.

#988 is the new number for Suicide Prevention

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  1-800-273-8255 

Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 confidential text message service for people in crisis 

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564 www.lgbthotline.org/hotline.html

This is a NEW "to me" one I added this past year. The LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline 888-OUT-LGBT (888-688-5428) www.LGBTcomingOut.org

Talkline GLBT National Help Center (Youth) Toll-free 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)

The Trevor Project (Youth) (866) 488-7386 LGBTQ 

Contact Care Line 800-273-TALK (8255) 

Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860 www.translifeline.org

Tennessee Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-356-6767 

I will be adding Bookwalter United Methodist Church to my list of LGBTQ Friendly Churches which can be found on this website under Spiritual.

Stay Safe out there everyone and please remember that someone is always available to listen, you just have to call. 

Beau Knowles Knox LGBT Businesses knoxlgbtbusinesses@gmail.com