Acadia Healthcare forged a national partnership with The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI), a nonprofit organization that provides education and training to help prevent youth suicide. Through this partnership, The Jason Foundation has begun opening community resource centers in Acadia treatment facilities across the country, offering educational materials and programming for staff, patients, families, and the broader community.
Youth Suicide
Youth suicide is one of the most preventable causes of death among young people today. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth age 18 and younger. Death by suicide among children ages 10-14 has increased at an alarming rate, more than doubling over the last decade. But death by suicide is preventable. In fact, four out of five teens who attempted to die by suicide showed clear warning signs, such as depression, a sudden lack of interest in activities they used to love, eating more or eating less than they used to, or a drop in grades at school.
The Jason Foundation, Inc.
The Jason Foundation, Inc. is an educational organization dedicated to preventing 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 necessary to help identify and assist youth who might be at risk of committing suicide. Initiatives like the JFI’s Coaches Assistance Program help coaches learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide risk in young athletes. Additionally, JFI has curriculums available for parents and educators to help them recognize when a young person is in pain and might need professional support. The Jason Foundation also operates “A Friend Asks” mobile app that provides young people with tools and resources right at their fingertips to assist them in helping a friend who might be at risk for suicide.
Ending the Silent Epidemic
The Jason Foundation believes awareness and education are the first steps to suicide prevention. Through its partnerships, a Triangle of Prevention is established by providing students, parents, and teachers with the tools and resources to help identify and help youth who might be at risk of dying by suicide. JFI’s intention is to empower youth, educators, and parents to recognize when young people are in pain and how to get professional help involved as soon as possible. The Jason Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3.
