Summit Oaks Hospital
Summit Oaks Hospital Recognized for the Jason Foundation
June 28, 2005
Youth Suicide Prevention Awareness Program by the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate on Thursday, June 23, 2005 in Trenton
The Joint Assembly and Senate recognized Summit Oaks Hospital for opening the Jason Foundation office in New Jersey on May 25, 2005. The Jason Foundation provides educational training to teachers, parents, youth, and community organizations to prevent youth suicide. The Jason Foundation has become a nationally recognized leader in youth suicide awareness and prevention programs. The programs are now in use in 49 states and several foreign countries.
Between 1999 and 2001 more than 1,500 young people ages 13 to 18 made suicide attempts in New Jersey. Assemblyman Robert Lewis Morgan also sponsored Assembly Bill A-3931 which requires the State Board of Education to include at minimum two hours of instruction in suicide prevention as part of professional development for public school teaching staff members. Summit Oaks Hospital will work closely with Assemblyman Morgan as a resource that provides the Jason Foundation educational materials to any school in the state at no cost.
Joining Assemblyman Morgan in sponsorship of this legislation are Assembly Members, Panter, Munoz, Brannick, Stanley, Senator Karcher and Senator Kean. This legislation A-3931 was voted on Monday, June 27, by the General Assembly and passed the Assembly by a vote of 78-1. It will now go to the Senate for consideration when they return in the fall.
Persons interested in learning more about the Jason Foundation can call the Community Assistance Resource Line toll free number at Summit Oaks Hospital at 1-877-778-CARL (2275). A representative is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
You can also visit the website at www.jasonfoundation.com. Summit Oaks Hospital serves as a clinical affiliate of the Jason Foundation and a resource to prevent youth suicide one person at a time in New Jersey. There is no cost for this service due, in part, to corporate sponsorship by Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., parent company of Summit Oaks Hospital located in Summit, New Jersey.