Richview Middle School hosts youth suicide prevention seminar

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A youth suicide prevention seminar for parents and community members will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at Richview Middle School. The program is designed specifically for parents.

The seminar will tackle the difficult topic of youth suicide and provide strategies of awareness and prevention for parents and other adults.

“This is a parent presentation regarding the issue of youth suicide and prevention strategies for parents,” Richview Middle School counselor Tammy Smith said. “We will be focusing on, not only current statistics, but also the warning signs to look for and strategies for helping their own child or their child’s friends. The presentation is mainly presented utilizing the Jason Foundation program, a non-profit youth suicide prevention agency.”

The seminar will be conducted by Richview Middle School counselors, who will incorporate the best practices from The Jason Foundation.

According to Acadia Healthcare, “The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs to equip young people, educators, youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.”

The non-profit organization offers a web-based professional development training series in suicide prevention for educators at no cost.

“The goal of this program is to help increase awareness in the parents of our students,” Smith said. “By increasing this awareness, they will be able to recognize possible suicidal warning signs in their kids, know how to talk to their child about suicide and emotions and ultimately, to save the life of their child or a child they know.”

The event will be held in the Richview Theater and light refreshments will be served.

“Richview counselors and our school psychologist are presenting, but this is open to anyone in the community,” Smith said.

For questions and to RSVP, contact tammyt.smith@cmcss.net.