YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION COMES TO SOUTHSTONE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL, LIFE CENTER OF GALAX, & MOUNT REGIS CENTER

Jason Foundation Affiliate Offices in South Boston, Galax, and Salem

South Boston, Galax, and Salem, Va., Dec. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI), a nationally recognized leader in suicide awareness and prevention, proudly announced today the opening of their newest JFI Affiliate Offices at Southstone Behavioral Health in South Boston, Life Center of Galax in Galax, Virginia, and Mount Regis Center in Salem, Virginia. The Affiliate Offices will serve as hubs where parents, teachers, guidance counselors, students, churches, and other community organizations can obtain educational materials and learn about the training programs available through JFI. All programs and materials are available to the public at no cost.

According to a recent CDC survey, 16% of Virginia’s high school youth said that they “have seriously considered suicide in the past twelve months.” Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Virginia youth ages 10-24, with more than 200 young lives lost 2018. Additionally, the mental toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on the public has not yet been fully realized, and its impact could be significant. Suicide has, however, been declared a leading cause of PREVENTABLE death.

“The Jason Foundation is elated to begin working with Life Center of Galax, Mount Regis Center, and Southstone Behavioral Health Hospital to provide communities with our programs and resources,” said Brett Marciel, Chief Communications Officer of The Jason Foundation. “This represents an important step to combat youth and young adult suicide as we join numerous other organizations supplying the state with the tools and resources needed.”

“We are proud to affiliate with The Jason Foundation to bring their resources to Virginia families in need,” said Stephanie Knowles, CEO of Southstone Behavioral Health Hospital. “Together, we can prevent the tragedy of youth suicide.”

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with The Jason Foundation,” said Terry Suttle, CEO of Life Center of Galax. “We are committed to providing communities with the resources needed to address this tragic epidemic.”

“Mount Regis Center is pleased to become a Jason Foundation Affiliate Office,” said Jenna Kinder, CEO of Mount Regis Center. “We are proud to be working alongside them to help further their mission of youth and young adult suicide prevention.”

About the Organizations:

The Jason Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting the “silent epidemic” of youth and young adult suicide through educational programs for young people, educators, parents and other community groups. Since their inception, The Jason Foundation has never charged a school, family, or community for use of their programs or materials. For more information or to find the closest JFI Affiliate Office, visit JFI’s website. jasonfoundation.com

Southstone Behavioral Health Hospital is a leading provider of residential treatment for adolescents who are suffering from various mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders. Located in South Boston, Virginia, Southstone Behavioral Health Hospital provides a safe space where young people can continue their education or receive vocational education opportunities while working toward their treatment goals. With the support of a compassionate team of professionals, countless young people have made the positive changes needed to improve their lives.

Life Center of Galax, located in Galax, Virginia, has been a respected source of focused addiction treatment services for more than 40 years. As the first residential treatment program in the Commonwealth of Virginia to be both licensed and accredited to exclusively treat adults who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs, Life Center of Galax has long been a leader in the field of substance use disorder treatment. Today, the center offers detoxification, residential treatment, and outpatient programming for adults who are struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns.

Mount Regis Center provides personalized residential and outpatient programming for adults age 18 and older who are struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns. The facility, which is located in Salem, Virginia, also offers a specialized residential treatment track for young adults ages 18-28. Treatment at Mount Regis Center is a holistic, patient-centered experience that empowers each adult to make sustained progress toward improved health and long-term recovery.

Stephanie Knowles, Chief Executive Officer
Southstone Behavioral Health Hospital
Stephanie.Knowles@southstonebhc.com

Terry Suttle, Chief Executive Officer
Life Center of Galax
Terry.Suttle@galaxrecovery.com

Jenna Kinder, Chief Executive Officer
Mount Regis Center
(540) 392-1047
Jenna.Kinder@mtregis.com

Brett Marciel, Chief Communications Officer
The Jason Foundation, Inc.
(615) 264-2323
brettmarciel@jasonfoundation.com