Jason Foundation

Springwoods Behavioral Health is an affiliate of the Jason Foundation.

Jason Flatt Act Signed By Governor Beebe

Losing a child for any reason is a parents' worst nightmare. On July 16, 1997, Jason Flatt's family found themselves in unimaginable pain. Sixteen year old Jason, a good student and athlete, bright and fun-loving, took his own life.

Why does any seemingly happy, well-adjusted teen choose to end their life? What causes a child to be in such a hopeless state that he/she cannot see beyond that darkness? How could this happen to any family? All are haunting feelings experienced by many families who have lost a child to suicide.

Youth and teen suicide, called the “silent epidemic,” claims the lives of approximately 5,000 American youth and teen every year. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth and teen, ages 10-24. According to Mental Health America, 8 out of 10 people considering suicide give some sign of their intentions. If we are educated to recognize the warning signs, this means that we have an opportunity to intervene in 80% of these suicides. Suicide is preventable.

Governor Mike Beebe signed the Jason Flatt Act into law March 30, 2011. This law requires two hours of suicide prevention and awareness training for every educator every five years.

Springwoods provides the state law required two hours of suicide prevention and awareness training for educators through JFI. If you would like more information on how to receive this training through Springwoods Behavioral Health, please contact Meredith Meadows. Meredith's email is meredith.meadows@uhsinc.com or she can be reached at 479-629-5747.
 

The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is a nationally recognized provider of educational curriculums and training programs for students, educators/youth workers and parents. JFI’s programs build an awareness of the national health problem of youth and teen suicide, educate participants in recognizing the “warning signs or signs of concern”, provide information on identifying at-risk behavior and elevated risk groups, and direct participants to local resources to deal with possible suicidal ideation. JFI’s student curriculums are presented in the “third-person” perspective – how to help a friend. The Jason Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3.

The Jason Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to the prevention of the "Silent Epidemic" of youthand teen suicide through educational and awareness programs to equip young people, educators / youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth and teen.

For more information on the Jason Foundation, please visit their website at: http://jasonfoundation.com