The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) Executive Director, Scott Ridgway, MS, was named the recipient of the Robert Tierney Award by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS). Ridgway received the award at the annual AAS conference in Denver, Colorado at the end of April.

Each year at the AAS conference, the Roger J. Tierney Award is presented to an individual with a record of outstanding service and support to the suicidology community. This award is one of the highest honors anyone involved with suicide prevention in can receive.

Ridgway has been Executive Director of TSPN since 2001. Under his leadership, the network grew from a small grassroots group into a vibrant state suicide prevention coalition that serves as a model for others. Tennessee is recognized nationally for its comprehensive and multifaceted approach to suicide prevention.

"I'm deeply honored and humbled to receive this award for all who have lost loved ones to suicide. This award isn't just for me; it's for the staff and volunteers who help the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network accomplish our goals. It's for the the many suicide prevention advocates in our state who reach out to make a difference," Ridgway stated.

To learn how to get involved with TSPN or to request free suicide prevention training for your group, business, agency or organization, go to their website, http://tspn.org/.

Also, please help TSPN spread the phone number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK (8255)), Crisis Text Line (text 'TN' to 741741), or the State Crisis line (1-855-CRISIS-1).