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West Virginia Suicide Prevention Law To Be Signed Today
By: Associated Press
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The family of a student who killed himself is coming to West Virginia following passage of a suicide prevention law that bears his name.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has invited the family of Jason Flatt to join him for a ceremonial signing of the legislation Tuesday at Morgantown High School.
The Jason Flatt Act of 2012 aims to make sure that principals, teachers and other educators are trained to recognize the warning signs and reach out to students who are considering suicide.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. for those aged 10 to 24. Jason Flatt was a 16-year-old student in Tennessee when he killed himself in 1997.
At least six states have passed such a law. The West Virginia Legislature unanimously passed its measure.