In order to effectively raise awareness and provide prevention programs to address the national problem of youth suicide, Clark Flatt established the Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI), a non-profit organization headquartered in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Following the tragic suicide of his 16-year-old son, Jason, in 1997, Mr. Flatt has made it his mission to help save the lives of young people who are considering suicide. Now, with affiliates all across the United States, JFI is making a difference by offering the resources, services, and programs needed to end the youth suicide epidemic once and for all.
In Georgia:
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for middle and high school age youth (12 – 18).
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for college age youth (18 – 22).
The Georgia Youth Risk Behavioral Survey reported:
- Almost 1 out of 7 young people seriously considered suicide in the past twelve months
- Almost 1 out of 11 young people attempted suicide in the past twelve months
For those in the Riverdale area, Riverwoods Behavioral Health is the local affiliate for JFI. Individuals who are interested in learning about raising awareness and preventing youth suicide can contact Riverwoods Behavioral Health to receive JFI materials and become part of the effort to help at-risk youth. Students, parents, educators, and community organizations can request information, become trained in identifying the warning signs of suicide and help young people who are experiencing suicidal ideation. All JFI resources at Riverwoods Behavioral Health are free of charge. For more information about JFI, please visit the organization’s website at jasonfoundation.com.
