Suicide prevention - The Jason Foundation

Located close to Washington, D.C., metropolitan region and in Northern Virginia, Dominion Hospital is the Mid-Atlantic regional headquarters for The Jason Foundation. The Jason Foundation works to prevent youth and teen suicide. They strive to do this through education and suicide awareness programs that allow friends, family and educators to identify and help at-risk youth.

Facts and Statistics, all according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WISQARS.

• For middle and high school age youth (ages 12 to 18), suicide is the second leading cause of death.
• For college age youth (ages 18 to 22), suicide is the second leading cause of death
• Overall, suicide is the second leading cause of death for our youth ages 10 to 24

In ages 10 to 14, we have seen an alarming increase of more than 150 percent in suicides since 1981. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.

Each day in the U.S., there are an average of over 5,240 suicide attempts by young people grades seven to 12. Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.

Educators, youth workers and coaches can all make a difference and help us fight the "Silent Epidemic" of youth suicide. Here is a list of things you can do to make a difference in youth suicide in your community.

• Educate yourself about the magnitude of youth and teen suicide, the signs to looks for and the tools to help a youth or teen in your life.
• Encourage schools and organizations in your community to incorporate The Jason Foundation's curriculum into their programs.
• Encourage your schools and organizations to provide staff development training for all school personnel.
• Encourage your schools and organizations to place The Jason Foundation's parent resource program on their website.
• Encourage your schools and organizations to hold a suicide prevention week.
• Encourage local service organizations in your area, like churches and community centers, to become aware of the problem of youth and teen suicide and its prevention opportunities.
• Watch and listen to the youth and teens in your life and pay attention to sudden changes in behavior that cause you concern.
• Know your schools' and organizations' protocol for emergency and crisis situations.
• Call the CARL line, available 24/7, to have a free, confidential conversation with a professional about any concerns you have about a young person or a situation.

The Jason Foundation programs are based on the Triangle of Prevention model of a young person’s life: parents, educators/youth workers and the youth themselves. All programs are offered at no cost to participants with whom we contract.

Take the Pledge and B1 Project

B1 is a collaborative effort with country-music trio Rascal Flatts. The theme, "Someone You Know May Need a Friend B1" encourages young people to "Be aware, be able and be prepare" for their friends.

Parent Resource Program (PRP) is a web-based program for schools, churches or community organizations which provides insight into awareness through statistics, discussion of warning signs, elevated risk factors and also for prevention by helping to build an action plan.