Teen Suicide Prevention

Every one hour and forty–five minutes in this country a youth completes suicide. The numbers are staggering. Is this preventable? YES

Between2005 and 2009, Idaho lost 74 students age 10-18 to suicide and 15 of those were between 10 and 14 years of age.

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 2007 the most recent year available, Idaho had the 11th 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 Franklin County Medical Center and Dr. Jacob Curtis, 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 also enable healthcare providers with “at risk patients” to learn the signs of concern, identify risk factors and where to go for help. Please join us Thursday June 9th from 7:00-8:00pm at Franklin County Medical Center.  Please contact the office of Dr. Jacob Curtis at 208-852-9355 to RSVP or if you have any questions.