News Summary
Jacksonville has launched the Zero Suicide Jax initiative during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, aiming to empower community members to recognize and act on suicide warning signs. In 2023, 176 residents died by suicide, prompting this critical effort. Trained individuals will support those at risk through strategies outlined in the CARES pledge. The initiative hopes to cultivate awareness and empathy, helping prevent further tragedies, like that experienced by local mother Cheryl Deas, who shares her son’s heartbreaking story.
Jacksonville has initiated a significant effort in suicide prevention with the launch of the Zero Suicide Jax initiative during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September. This new program aims to empower individuals within the community, not just professionals, to recognize the warning signs of suicide and take proactive steps to assist those at risk.
The overarching goal of Zero Suicide Jax is to achieve zero suicides in the city. This initiative comes in the wake of troubling statistics; in 2023, 176 people in Jacksonville died by suicide. To address this urgent issue, community members, employers, and educators will receive training on how to intervene effectively when someone shows signs of potential self-harm.
Cheryl Deas, a local mother, shares her heart-wrenching story about the loss of her son, Darnell “DJ” Deas Jr., who died by suicide at the age of 16 seven years ago. DJ was known as a kind and gentle soul, a star athlete, and an exceptional student with a 4.0 GPA. His death came as a shock to his family, as he exhibited no clear warning signs before the tragedy occurred. In a heartbreaking turn, Cheryl found a letter from DJ in a keepsake box, where he expressed his feelings of inadequacy compared to his siblings and desire to be a perfect child.
Cheryl is now committed to using her painful experience to raise awareness about the signs of suicide and help prevent similar tragedies from affecting other families in the community.
New Training Initiatives and Community Involvement
Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO of LSF Health Systems, is at the forefront of leading the Zero Suicide Jax initiative. The training provided will teach community members how to recognize warning signs and include encouragement to ask the critical question: “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
As part of the initiative, individuals are encouraged to take the CARES pledge, a commitment to supporting those in crisis that includes five steps:
- C – Check for warning signs
- A – Ask about suicidal thoughts
- R – Reinforce that you care
- E – Establish next steps
- S – Stay in touch
Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to take the ACT pledge for workplace suicide prevention, which calls for:
- A – Adopt training
- C – Create stigma-free support
- T – Take on peer advocacy
Future Expansion Plans
The Zero Suicide Jax initiative has ambitions to expand its model into other counties in Northeast Florida, broadening the scope of its influence and aim to reduce suicide rates on a larger scale.
Support for Individuals in Crisis
For individuals who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, it is crucial to seek help. People are encouraged to call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential support 24/7. This resource is an essential tool for those in need, aiming to connect individuals with professionals who can offer assistance and support in their most vulnerable moments.
As Jacksonville embarks on this initiative, the hope is to cultivate a culture of awareness, empathy, and proactive intervention to ensure that fewer families experience the kind of heartbreak Cheryl Deas has faced.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: Jacksonville Launches Suicide Prevention Program
- WOKV: Zero Suicide Jax Program Aims to Prevent Tragedy
- Wikipedia: Suicide Prevention
- Jacksonville.com: Parents Form Nonprofit for Suicide Awareness
- Google Search: Suicide Prevention Resources
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
