The Jason Foundation is dedicated to supporting youth suicide prevention. Through a range of education and suicide awareness programs, The Jason Foundation helps parents, educators, and young people identify signs of a problem.
What is The Jason Foundation?
The primary mission of The Jason Foundation is suicide awareness. Unfortunately, a silent epidemic of youth suicide is occurring, but suicide prevention is possible through suicide education and awareness. The Jason Foundation has a curriculum unit for students, educational seminars, and a suicide prevention app to accomplish this.
Initially, the organization was started by Clark Flatt. After his beloved son, Jason committed suicide in 1997, Flatt began The Jason Foundation to help other families prevent suicide. This non-profit group has also pushed 21 states to pass The Jason Flatt Act, which requires teachers to attend in-service training about suicide prevention.
Resources Offered by The Jason Foundation
This foundation helps teachers and youth through a variety of different programs.
Student Curriculum
One of the critical suicide awareness programs is designed for students. “A Promise for Tomorrow” student curriculum covers three to five units about awareness and ways to help friends. It uses clinical research and has been used by 1.7 million students already.
Coaches Assistance Program
This program helps athletic trainers, academic advisors, and coaches learn to spot warning signs of suicidal ideation.
Professional Development/In-Service Training
In 21 states, the Jason Flatt Act requires teachers and other educators to participate in in-service days about suicide awareness. These staff development training modules discuss risk factors, warning signs, the scope of the problem, and how to approach at-risk students.
A Friend Asks App
Friends and family members can download this free app. It contains resources for people who are struggling with suicidal ideation as well as tools for their loved ones.
Rascal Flatts B1 Pledge
The Jason Foundation and Rascal Flatts have worked together to create The B1 Pledge. This pledge requires participants to “Be Aware, Be Able, and Be Prepared to React.”
How You Can Get Involved
If you want to do your part to end the silent epidemic of youth suicide, you can get involved in several ways.
Download the App
With the help of A Friend Asks, you can learn about warning signs of suicidal ideation. If you know someone who is having problems, you can use resources in the app to help them out.
Talk to Your School
You can help prevent teen suicides by talking to your school about the “A Promise for Tomorrow” student curriculum. By encouraging suicide awareness, you can give students the tools they need to prevent this problem from happening.
Have an Open Conversation
Parents should talk openly and honestly with their children about suicide prevention. In addition, pay attention to any impulsive behavior or emotional changes in your child.
Organize a Suicide Prevention Week
National Suicide Prevention Week is from September 4 to 10, 2022, but September is Suicide Prevention Month. You can encourage your local schools, churches, and community events to host outreach events during this time.
Talk to Your Loved Ones
When you see someone is feeling bad, don’t be afraid to ask them how they’re doing. So many people commit suicide because they feel like no one else cares. By asking loved ones how they’re feeling, you can help them get help before it’s too late.
San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is a Partner of The Jason Foundation
The San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is a proud partner of The Jason Foundation. Through suicide awareness programs, parents, educators, and students can learn about suicide prevention.
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues, you can reach out to the San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital for support.
