COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Independence) announced a partnership Tuesday with the national Jason Foundation to help prevent youth suicide.
The Jason Foundation is a non-profit organization working to prevent suicide among young people across the U.S. The goal of the partnership is to help Ohioans identify and aid youth who are at-risk of taking their own lives. The partnership is also meant to bring awareness to the public health issue of youth suicide.
"Protecting Ohio's children from the depression and sadness that can lead to suicidal thoughts has been a top priority dating back to my time in the U.S. Senate," DeWine said. "By increasing awareness on the signs and symptoms that could precede a suicide attempt we hope to save precious lives."
Rep. Anielski was key in the passage of Ohio's Jason Flatt Act, which requires youth suicide awareness and prevention training in the state's schools. In 2013-2014, all Ohio school employees, including nurses, counselors and teachers will receive the training.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among Ohio youth between the ages of 15 and 24. The CDC's 2011 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey found that close to one out of seven of Ohio's youth seriously considered suicide and more than one out of 11 of Ohio's youth attempted suicide.
Ohio AG teams with Jason Foundation to prevent youth suicide
