Hawaii Behavioral Health and Jason Foundation Collaborate on Youth Suicide Prevention
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI), a youth suicide prevention and awareness organization, and Hawaii Behavioral Health (HBH) announced today that they have entered into an affiliation to help fight the “silent epidemic” of youth suicide that will begin on January 1, 2021. Hawai’i Behavioral Health has become a Jason Foundation Pillar Affiliate and will establish Pillar Affiliate Offices in its offices located on Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. The Pillar Affiliate Offices will serve as hubs where parents, teachers, guidance counselors, students, churches and other community organizations can obtain educational materials and learn about training programs available through JFI. All programs and materials are offered to the public at no cost.
“The Jason Foundation is proud to begin working with Hawaii Behavioral Health,” said Clark Flatt, President of JFI. “Hawaii Behavioral Health’s core mission and values align directly with JFI’s. As a Pillar Affiliate, Hawaii Behavioral Health will help supply young people and families across Hawaii with the tools and resources to potentially save a life. Suicide is preventable.”
“We are proud to announce our partnership with The Jason Foundation,” remarked Volodymyr Gulidov, Director at Hawaii Behavioral Health. “At Hawaii Behavioral Health, we believe in ‘A’ohe hana nui ka alu’ia’, which translates to ‘no task is too big when done together’. Our mission, together with The Jason Foundation, we will be to make a difference in preventing youth suicide in Hawaii by educating our communities and raising awareness.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Hawaiians between the ages of 10 and 24. A recent CDC survey found that over 1 out of 10 Hawaii high school youth reportedly “attempted suicide one or more times in the last twelve months.” Many times, young people who attempt suicide will exhibit clear warning signs prior to the attempt. Knowing the warning signs associated with suicide, and how to help, can save young lives.
