The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is committed to raising awareness and developing prevention programs to defeat the “silent epidemic” that is youth suicide. This non-profit organization provides education and resources to help communities learn how to aid at-risk youth who are possibly thinking of committing suicide.
Centered in Hendersonville, Tennessee, JFI was developed in 1997 after founder Clark Flatt lost his 16-year-old son, Jason, to suicide. Since then, it has been Flatt’s mission to defeat youth suicide. He accomplishes this by leading a team of individuals who offer invaluable resources to schools, young individuals, and community groups nationwide. Red River Hospital is an affiliate of JFI and is located in Texas. Here, educational materials and programming information is supplied to community members for free. Parents, teachers, students, counselors, churches, and other organizations can visit Red River Hospital to obtain the resources needed.
In Texas:
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for middle and high school age youth (12 – 18).
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college age youth (18 – 22).
The Texas Youth Risk Behavioral Survey reported:
- Almost 1 out of 6 young people seriously considered suicide in the past twelve months
- Almost 1 out of 10 young people attempted suicide in the past twelve months
JFI at Red River Hospital is the local resource for youth suicide prevention and awareness materials. All materials are provided to the public at no cost. Those who are interested in services, information, or programs can reach out to Red River Hospital or visit https://jasonfoundation.com.