It can be scary when a friend or loved one is having mental health challenges or thinking about suicide. It’s hard to know how a suicidal crisis feels and how to act. Contact 988 at any time for help if a friend is struggling.

Whether they’re near or far, old or new, best friends help to carry us through our lives. This June 8, National Best Friends Day, it’s time to tell them how much we appreciate their company. As the Mayo Clinic reports: “Friends help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss, or the death of a loved one. They also encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise.” Today’s the day to enjoy a little one-on-one time with the people who never fail to catch us when we fall. If you want to buy a friend something special to mark the occasion then check our list of great gifts for your best friend. nationaltoday.com/national-b…

Men often experience mental health issues differently than women. Common conditions include depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Men may express distress through irritability, anger, risk-taking, social withdrawal, or physical complaints rather than traditional signs of sadness. Societal expectations to appear strong and self-reliant can discourage men from acknowledging struggles, leading to delayed treatment and higher risks of suicide, with men accounting for nearly 80% of suicides in the U.S.

We don't know exactly how many rolls were eaten, how many steaks were served, or how many sweet teas were refilled during our Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse... But we do know this: Because of your support, lives will continue to be saved. Families will continue to find hope and healing. Communities will continue to be strengthened through the work of The Jason Foundation. Thank you to everyone who came out, shared a meal, spread the word, and supported our mission. A special thank you to Texas Roadhouse Hendersonville for partnering with us and investing in youth suicide prevention. Every dollar raised helps us continue providing education, awareness, and resources to students, parents, and educators in our community.  If you weren't able to attend, there's still a way to make an impact! You can support us by creating your own fundraiser and inviting your friends, family, coworkers, or community to join you in supporting this life-saving mission. Start your fundraiser today: p2p.onecause.com/jasondiy Together, we are creating hope, saving lives, and keeping more than dreams alive!

Each year, The Jason Foundation conducts a random national survey of individuals who have participated in our educator In-Service/Professional Development Training. The goal of this survey is to assess the effectiveness of our efforts in raising awareness and preventing youth and young adult suicide. We have just completed the 2025 national survey, which included nearly 6,000 respondents - our largest survey to date! We are excited about the number of participants and the positive outcomes, which include the following: • Over 8 out of 10 (84.47%) indicated that they agreed or strongly agreed that they had "significantly" increased their knowledge. • Nearly 9 out of 10 respondents (85.92%) agreed or strongly agreed that they can now better recognize warning signs and elevated risk factors for suicidal ideation. We would like to extend our gratitude to the teachers, administrators, and schools who have contributed to the prevention of youth suicide by learning how to recognize and respond to students who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. It is not our intention to train these users to become counselors. To view the complete survey results, please click jasonfoundation.com/wp-conte…

“A Friend Asks” App 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! The “A Friend Asks” App contains the following information: warning signs of suicidal ideation how to help a friend how to get help now what to do and what not to do the B1 Program If in an immediate crisis, call 911. If you or a friend needs to talk with a counselor for help or need resources available in your area, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (anytime 24/7 at 988) or use the Get Help Now button on the app. The app also contains a Spanish translation that can be toggled after launching.

More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED. Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 4,000 attempts by young people in grades 9-12. If these percentages are additionally applied to grades 7 & 8, the numbers would be higher. Four out of Five individuals considering suicide give some sign of their intentions, either verbally or behaviorally.

Depression, Mental Illness and Substance Abuse One of the most telling risk factors for youth is mental illness. Mental or addictive disorders are associated with up to 90% of suicides. One in ten youth suffers from mental illness serious enough to be impaired, yet fewer than 20% receive treatment. In fact, 60% of those who complete suicide suffers from depression. Alcohol and drug use – which clouds judgment, lowers inhibitions, and worsens depression – is associated with 50-67% of suicides. #suicideprevention #bekind #checkonyourfriends #itsokaynottobeokay #thejasonfoundation #youthsuicideprevention

Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming students from Liberty Creek High School to The Jason Foundation for a day of volunteer work and community impact. There’s something truly encouraging about seeing young people choose to show up, serve, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Their willingness to give their time and energy speaks volumes about the kind of leaders they are becoming.  We are grateful for the students and teachers who showed up to support the mission of keeping more than dreams alive.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, don't suffer in silence. Speak up and let someone know how you're feeling. Depression is running rampant in our nation and causing people to harm themselves. You never know what someone is dealing with mentally or emotionally, so be kind to everyone. You never know, your smile may change someone's whole day or even life. #SuicidePrevention #KindnessMatters #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #BeKind #SpreadLove #SpreadJoy #Smile

Take care of your mind. Mental illness is not contagious. Make sure you're checking on your loved ones but also make sure you're making sure you're okay in the process. Make your mental health your biggest priority. If you need to speak to someone, call or text 988, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You're not alone. It's okay not to be okay. Just don't keep it to yourself. Talk to someone who will listen and validate your feelings. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #TakeCareOfYourMind #LoveYourself #TakeCareOfYou #CheckOnYourself #CheckOnYourFamily #CheckOnYourFriends #SelfLove #SelfCare #KindnessMatters #SpreadJoy #SpreadLove

If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you can be the difference in getting them the help they need. It’s important to take care of yourself when you are supporting someone through a difficult time, as this may bring up difficult emotions. If it does, please reach out for support yourself.

If you're struggling to find your way in this crazy world, find a hobby to help during your times of struggle. With summer just around the corner, a lot of youth and young adults struggle with being out of school and not having that schedule they're used to. Some children only get attention when at school.  Here are a few ideas that have been known to help with healing those suffering from seasonal depression or feeling alone. Find something you love doing while also being productive and helps with yourself worth. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #FindAHobbyYouLove #LoveYourself #TakeCareOfYou #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #SpeakUp #DontBeSilent #SelfWorth #SelfLove #SelfCare

Once you learn to love yourself, your mental health will get better and better. Don't let other's opinion define who and what you are. Love yourself so fierce that others want to love themselves just as much as you do. Make others jealous with how in love you are with yourself. You are the only one who can define who you are. #SuicidePrevention #LoveYourself #ItsGoodForYourMentalHealth #SelfLoveIsTheBestKindOfLove #SelfCare #FallinLoveWithYourself #MentalHealthMatters

Remember that even those small steps are big steps when dealing with your mental health. You've got this. Just keep on making those small steps and you'll be your best self you before you even know it. Learn to love yourself and those small steps will turn into big strides. #SuicidePrevention #LoveYourself #KeepGoing #KeepGoing #YouveGotThis #MentalHealthMatters #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #SelfLove

Self-love is one of the most important things to take care of when it comes to your mental health. Make sure not to overlook your own mental health while trying to take care of everyone else. Taking a walk, a swim, hiking, yoga and meditation are great ways to clear your head. Exercise is also a great way to let off some steam. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #SelfLove #LoveOnYourself #Walk #Hike #Swim #Yoga #SelfLove #SelfCare

Your mind matters. Your feelings matter. Make sure you're taking care of yourself and your mental health. Don't let other's opinion of you let your mental health suffer. Love on yourself and give yourself the peace and love you deserve. You are enough and you're never alone. #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #LoveYourself #SelfLove #TakeCareOfYou #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #SpeakUp #DontSufferAlone #988