TENNESSEE, USA — Leaders from East Tennessee, and across the state, together declared that Sunday would be a day dedicated to helping people recover from substance abuse and to supporting each other's mental wellbeing. March 10 will be the fifth annual Day of Hope across Tennessee, aiming to inspire a "collective sense of statewide hopefulness."
Governor Bill Lee previously declared March 10 would be the state's Day of Hope. Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs also declared March 10 would be a day to support mental health and help people recovering from substance abuse.
"Hope is a powerful force for sustaining life, motivating action, and producing positive change," Lee's proclamation said. "The individuals in Tennessee most in need of hope are those living with behavioral health challenges including substance use and mental illness who have been stigmatized and shamed."
The Metro Drug Coalition is helping organize Day of Hope events, with several already scheduled to celebrate the day. A few of the upcoming events are listed below.
- March 8 (7 p.m.): The "Sober Yoga Happy Hour" will focus on serving people in recovery during its usual yoga class. The class is donation-based and is hosted by Renegade Yoga.
- March 9 (11 a.m.): Hope in the Home at Healing the Home is offering an open house and will post messages on social media about the Day of Hope
- March 9 (2 p.m.): Named "The Home Show at College Square Mall," the Hamblen County Substance Abuse Coalition will offer temporary tattoos during a home show, as a way to show support for other people who may face challenges.
- March 10: "What Gives CCAHT Hope" event, giving people on the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking's staff a chance to fill out a sign and post a photo about what gives them hope.
The Day of Hope is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
People across Tennessee are faced with challenges related to substance abuse, including opioids, alcohol and marijuana, according to TDMHSAS. The National Alliance on Mental Illness also said around one in six Tennesseans have a serious mental illness, and around 230,000 adults thought about suicide in 2021. Issues related to mental illness are daunting and expansive — for some, they're overwhelming.
But there is also help available. People in East Tennessee can reach out to the Metro Drug Coalition for help on challenges related to substance abuse. The organization's phone number is 865-588-5550.
People can also reach out to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for help coordinating services, such as substance abuse treatment, therapy, counseling or a variety of other services. Its non-emergency helpline is available at 800-560-5767, or by emailing oca.tdmhsas@tn.gov.
Anyone in crisis, who is thinking about hurting themselves or taking their own lives, should immediately reach out for help by calling 988. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available through phone and text, 24 hours a day.
WBIR also has an expansive list of resources available across East Tennessee. With it, people may get the resources they need to find hope, regardless of the challenges they face.