TOPEKA – (October 12, 2018) – A task force formed to study and recommend ways to reduce the incidence of youth suicide will meet next week in Overland Park.

Clark Flatt, President of the Jason Foundation, Inc., will be speaking about the work of the foundation and provide information concerning the Jason Flatt Act, adopted by the Kansas Legislature in 2016. Other speakers include representatives from local schools and coalitions who will provide testimony concerning recent projects, including the recently launched #ZeroReasonsWhy initiative. 

The task force, formed by the Tower Mental Health Foundation and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, will meet on Thursday, October 18, beginning at 9 a.m. at Johnson County Community College, Room GEB 233, 12345 College Blvd., in Overland Park. The meeting is open to the public.

A copy of the tentative agenda for this meeting is available at http://bit.ly/2pRbyJd.

Schmidt and the Tower Foundation’s chairman, Dr. Walt Menninger, announced the formation of the group in June. The group will survey and report on efforts already underway in Kansas to counter youth suicide and recommend further steps to address the situation.

Additional meetings are scheduled for this fall in Dodge City and Topeka. Details about all upcoming task force meetings, including opportunities to submit written testimony or to testify at one of the meetings, can be found at www.ag.ks.gov/ysptf or by calling (800) 828-9745. All persons with information about youth suicide-prevention efforts in Kansas are encouraged to testify.