On February 3, 2020, the TMF launched the Tennessee Professional Screening Questionnaire (TN-PSQ) as a safe and secure mental health resource for Tennessee health professionals with the help of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Six years later, it has provided a simple anonymous self-screen and further help if desired to nearly 980 users.
Here are a few comments by anonymous users:
- “It was good to be able to vent some of the frustrations of life in the survey and get the feedback that I am not alone… Thank you so much.”
- “When I was really struggling 10-15 years ago, I did not feel like I could seek help openly and had to be secretive about getting counseling and antidepressants. Thank you for contributing to this positive change!”
- “For what it’s worth, please know that you’re doing great work here. You just made this student’s life easier.”
- “I have previously done counseling and am not opposed to trying again … Thank you again for this awesome service!”
Results
To date, 978 Tennessee clinicians have taken the free, anonymous/confidential screening. The program’s secure and customized online platform provides participants with the opportunity to:
- Confidentially complete a brief screening questionnaire that asks about stress, depression, and other mental health conditions.
- Receive a personal response from a dedicated program counselor, staffed by the organization implementing the Interactive Screening Program.
- Communicate safely with a program counselor about mental health resources and reducing barriers to help-seeking.
About the TN-PSQ
The TN-PSQ is available to physicians and other health professionals served by the TMF, to Tennessee pharmacy professionals, and to medical/health professional students and trainees. It utilizes the Interactive Screening Program, a platform developed by the AFSP and now widely adopted by more than 200 organizations including higher education, medical and professional degree schools, organizations, and workplaces. The TMF is the first Physician Health Program (PHP) in the nation to adopt the ISP for the clinicians it serves; several other PHPs across the country have since adopted it or are in the process.