SUICIDE PREVENTION National Advocate For Teen Suicide Prevention Visits Charleston
Reported by: Kennie Bass
Videographer: Matt Durrett
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Reported: Nov. 30, 2012 9:27 AM EST
Updated: Nov. 30, 2012 9:45 AM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A national advocate for teen suicide prevention visited the state Capitol Thursday morning to thank Governor Earl Ray Tomblin for West Virginia's efforts in fighting the problem.
A new law signed this year requires all state school faculty and staff to have suicide prevention training.
The program gives teachers tools to recognize and help students who may be thinking about killing themselves. The lessons were developed by the Jason Flatt Foundation, named after a 16-year-old from Tennessee who committed suicide.
Flatt's father has been promoting education and awareness ever since.
"If everything we've done over the 15 years saves one young person's life, then my life has been worth it," said Clark Flatt with the Jason Flatt Foundation.
Ten states have adopted the act to help their educators deal with the problem. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for West Virginians between the ages of 15 and 24.
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Kennie Bass
