Jason Flatt Act - Youth Suicide Awareness
On May 13, 2016 Governor Sam Brownback signed The Jason Flatt Act – Kansas in memory of Cady Housh (SB323) into law, making Kansas the 19th state to pass The Jason Flatt Act since 2007.
The Jason Flatt Act
SB323
Effective May 13, 2016
The Bill was sponsored by Senator Greg Smith of Kansas Senate District 21.
Major components of the legislation are:
Requiring suicide prevention training for school district personnel; amending K.S.A. 2015 Supp. 75-2319
The board of education of each school district shall provide suicide awareness and prevention programming to all school staff and shall notify the parents or legal guardians of students enrolled in such school district that the training materials provided under such programming are available to such parents or legal guardians.
Such programming shall include, at a minimum:
- At least one hour of training each calendar year based on programs approved by the state board of education. Such training may be satisfied through independent self-review of suicide prevention training materials; and
- A building crisis plan developed for each school building. Such plan shall include:
- Steps for recognizing suicide ideation;
- Appropriate methods of intervention; and
- A crisis recovery plan
Source: https://jasonfoundation.com/about-us/jason-flatt-act/kansas/
Resources:
Would you know how to help a friend who is contemplating suicide? “A Friend Asks” is a FREE smartphone app that helps provide the information, tools, and resources to help a friend (or yourself) who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. Download the app today and encourage friends and family to do the same. Education is the key to prevention and with information like this as close as your smartphone; you could help save a life! More information at https://jasonfoundation.com/get-involved/student/a-friend-asks-app/
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call 988 The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Jason Flatt Foundation: http://jasonfoundation.com/
Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center: http://www.kansassuicideprevention.org/
National Suicide Prevention Life Line: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention: http://yellowribbon.org/
Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters https://www.ksphq.org/
The Trevor Project (for LBGTQ students) http://www.thetrevorproject.org/?gclid=CK22aeGlsoCFZODaQod-zoOzg