Author: Tiffany Peters

Please join us for a funny, moving and thought provoking look at life, with a focus on suicide prevention. Our goal – to help people of all walks of life know that life is worth fighting for! . Learn about suicide prevention in a relaxed atmosphere with actors who will make you laugh while you learn. Take it to heart, because someone in your life needs to hear the message, “You’re worth it.”

November 10, 2019 production will be held at Faith Promise Church North Knox Campus, 5830 Haynes-Sterchi Road, Knoxville Tennessee 37912.  Here is the Worth It Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/events/514411365992064/

As part of this observance, VTVT was joined by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Pastor Larry Trotter as well as mental health advocates, suicide survivors, and those with lived experience at Concord United Methodist Church on September 10th. Click here to view photos of the event.

Continue reading “VTVT joined by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs for Suicide Prevention Awareness Day event”

Vet to Vet Tennessee announced today that the new Gatekeeper Instructor class will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the Tellico Plains Community Center, 132 Bank Street, Tellico Plains, Tennessee 37385 during V13ION’s STRSS = September Tellico Rooster Scooter Scramble. Non-rides are welcomed. Class is from 9am to 3pm. Please arrive at 8:30 am for registration.

VTVT has 10-$500.00 scholarships available for the upcoming class. If you want to learn more about the class or scholarship interested please click here. Many potential instructors were not able to attend previous QPR classes because they were held during the workweek. This is our first weekend class. Please help us save lives!

Vet to Vet Tennessee provided nine QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor scholarship to nine new instructor on July 24, 2019. Clinical Therapist, Tony Weaver, hosted the class at the Helen Ross McNabb Military Services Center in Knoxville.

Names and organizations of the 9 new Instructors are:

Continue reading “9 New QPR Gatekeepers graduate on July 24, 2019”

Here’s a chance to use your creative talents for a cause that could literally save lives! Join us for “Worth It” auditions! The show is set in a high school, so actors should be able to portray high school students ages 15 – 19.

We are looking for talented high school students to appear in a faith-based comedy/drama to get the word out that life is worth living! The performance will be Sunday night, Nov. 10 in Knoxville, TN, with final rehearsal on Nov. 9. See posts below and visit https://bit.ly/2ZXLAUF for more information!

Suicide is the 2nd cause of death amongst the youth in America. It is time we did something about it! If you would like to know more about the purpose of the play please leave us a message below or call us at 865-336-2624.

Continue reading “Open Student Auditions for “Worth It””

In the Veteran community, PTSD is often associated with combat trauma. Witnessing a horrific  event like a deadly roadside bombing or the killing of a child can take an emotional toll on someone, causing that person to relive the event and feel angry, depressed, or distant.

Does shame—in which a person feels responsible for what happened and views himself or herself as a bad person—play a role in worsening the emotional and day-to-day struggles of someone with PTSD? Shame is a common symptom for those with PTSD.

Shame, one of the emotions associated with PTSD, may have an especially strong role in generating suicidal feelings, research suggests. VA researchers are exploring that question. To learn more about the studies please click here.

Congratulation Class of May 16, 2019!

Twelve more QPR Gatekeeper Instructors graduated on May 16, 2019.  We want to thank Vet to Vet Tennessee’s sponsor, Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee, for providing the financial support to provide these 12 graduates with free scholarships to attend this class. We are thank Pastor Aaron McCarter, Maryville Vineyard Church, for hosting the event.

We thank the graduates for their time, effort and dedication and pray they will have the strength and courage to “Ask the Question.”

Graduates listed from left to right:

Jason Goodman – Lifeline – Metro Drug Coalition Howard Bowlin – Spiritual Liaison and Veterans Program – Cornerstone of Recovery Ed Junod – QPR Master Instructor – Vet to Vet Tennessee Cindy Winterberger – Clinic Social Worker – Covenant Homehealth/Hospice Lori Jordan – Resource Coordinator – Covenant Health/Hope Center Angela Obear – Counselor – Pellissippi State Community College CJ Counts – Senior Pastor – Grace of the Lord Church, Aurora Colorado Kirk Schlabaugh – Youth Sponsor – Maryville Vineyard Church Sam McGhee – Youth Pastor – Maryville Vineyard Church Robert Brooks – Veterans Court Mentor – Vet to Vet Tennessee Michael Watkins – Lieutenant – Loudon County Sheriff Office Sheila McGinty – Student – University of Tennessee Steve Davis – Soundperson – Community Baptist Church

Click here for more photos.

You don’t need to have special training to support the Veterans in your life, and we can all do something to help a Veteran who is going through a difficult time. Not sure where to start or what to do or say? Read on.

The next Vet to Vet Tennessee QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor class is scheduled for May 16, 2019 at the Maryville Vineyard Church, 713 William Blount Dr, Maryville, TN 37801 from 0800 to 1600. The class is almost full. If you are interested in becoming a QPR Gatekeeper Instructor please enroll online by clicking this link:

Vet to Vet Tennessee will provide you with a $500.00 scholarship to cover the cost. Continental breakfast and a Panera Bread lunch will be provided. The class enrollment will end soon so sign up as soon as you can. You will be notified if your scholarship has been approved. Any questions please feel free to call Ed Junod at 865-336-2624. Be blest and happy.