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 nonprofit organization headquartered in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is committed to developing nationwide awareness and preventing youth suicide. In 1997, Clark Flatt’s son, Jason, committed suicide at the young age of 16. Since then, Flatt has focused solely on demolishing the “silent epidemic” that is youth suicide by offering resources and information to communities across the county. This initiative can help community members identify and help those at-risk youth who are contemplating suicide.
Village Behavioral Health, located in Tennessee, is an affiliate of JFI and serves as a center for JFI related resources, and programming. Teachers, students, parents, coaches, social service workers, and others in Tennessee can go to Village Behavioral Health to obtain suicide awareness and prevention materials for free.
In Tennessee:
- Suicide is the second 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 Tennessee Youth Risk Behavioral Survey reported:
- Almost 1 out of 7 young people seriously considered suicide in the past twelve months
- Almost 1 out of 9 young people attempted suicide in the past twelve months
While based in Hendersonville, Tennessee, The Jason Foundation, Inc. has reached communities all over the country. If you are interested in getting more information on JFI and the provided services, Village Behavioral Health can be contacted. To gain a greater education about JFI and its mission to make youth suicide something of the past, please visit jasonfoundation.com.
