Acadia Healthcare Marks Opening of 50th Jason Foundation Office for Youth Suicide Awareness

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Sept. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering the Acadia (NASDAQ: ACHC) mission to be a national community resource for behavioral health and addiction, Acadia is pleased to announce it has reached a company milestone in youth suicide awareness education, with the opening of seven more Jason Foundation Affiliate offices, bringing the total to 56 across the country. These offices, based at Acadia's local facilities, provide support in training and supporting teachers in local schools to identify and help students suffering with suicidal ideations. 

"There is, sadly, still a huge stigma around behavioral health issues, and this stigma keeps too many people, every day, from getting the help they need. We have a responsibility, as the largest stand-alone behavioral health company in the world, to champion educational efforts such as our work with the Jason Foundation. They are an amazing organization that we are deeply committed to supporting," commented Joey Jacobs, Acadia Healthcare Chairman and CEO.

The Jason Foundation has helped pass legislation in 19 states called the "Jason Flatt Act," which mandates teachers in those states complete two hours of youth suicide awareness and prevention training each year, and now reaches 1.3 million teachers.

Joey Jacobs added, "As Acadia continues to grow, we look forward to opening more affiliate offices. We can't do enough to fight the tragedy and stigma surrounding these issues."

About Acadia Healthcare

Acadia is a provider of inpatient behavioral healthcare services. Acadia operates a network of 591 behavioral healthcare facilities with approximately 17,800 beds in 39 states, the United Kingdom and Puerto Rico. Acadia provides behavioral health and addiction services to its patients in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, outpatient clinics and therapeutic school-based programs.

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SOURCE Acadia Healthcare