| Teenage
suicide is preventable
Would you know if you child were contemplating Suicide? Every one hour and forty–five minutes in this country a youth completes suicide. The numbers are staggering. Is this preventable? YES Between 2006 and 2010, Idaho lost 72 students age 18 and under. Awareness and education are the key ingredients to prevent the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide. It is silent because the world does not hear that Youth Suicide (among 15-24 year olds) is the 3rd leading cause of death. In fact, in Idaho it is the 2nd leading cause of death. Idaho is consistently among the states with the highest suicide rates. In 2009 the most recent year available, Idaho had the 4th highest suicide rate. The Jason Foundation is a nationally recognized, nonprofit organization that provides educational materials and resources about youth suicide at no cost to recipients. These materials look at the best practices of instruction and the “no harm” approach to the topic of suicide prevention. The Jason Foundation was founded in 1997 after the tragic death by suicide of the younger son of JFI’s president/CEO Clark Flatt. The primary purpose of this organization is to equip teachers, youth workers, parents and young people with the information and resources they need to know to evaluate risk factors, learn signs of concerns and where to go for help. JFI offers in-service training for teachers and counselors, a school based program that is currently used in 47 states and 5 countries, a faith based unit of study as well as a community assistance resource line. The Idaho Rural Health Association and the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho have teamed up with the Jason Foundation to bring community education programs to rural communities around the state. Now, with the help of St. Mary’s Hospital Cottonwood and Dr. Christina Marchion, The Jason Foundation along with our team of educators will discuss this important issue with a local panel to help the surrounding community be better prepared in the prevention of suicide. This presentation will help individuals (adults only please) learn the signs of concern, identify risk factors and where to go for help. Please join us Monday June 18th from 12:15-2:00 pm at St. Mary’s Hospital (701 Lewiston St) in downstairs Conference room 701. Please call Cheri Holthaus at 208-962-2327 to RSVP or if you have any questions. |
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