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#endyouthsuicide

Janik & Durham: #endyouthsuicide event at Chaparral Park this week

Life is a Beach takes place Friday night

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This year it seems more important than ever to focus on mental health and suicide prevention. 2020 has been a whirlwind of unforeseen events:

  • COVID-19;
  • Social distancing;
  • Job losses;
  • School closures; and
  • Divisiveness in our nation and polarizing politics.

We witness the strain it’s had on so many people, especially the youth in our communities every day.

Prior to COVID we had plans for many in-person events and debates. We wanted and planned on meeting with the citizens face to face, as often as possible. We desperately want to bring your concerns to the council for discussion and base our decisions on the interests of all the citizens we serve.

Unfortunately, social distancing reduced the opportunities for in person interaction, and in-depth conversations that are vital to the progress of our city.

We’re proud to support an outdoor event with social distancing to raise money for the JEM Foundation.

The JEM Foundation was created to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially among young people.

JEM was the key organization that made Jake’s Law a reality. The law requires private insurance companies to cover behavioral health at the same level as physical health. There are many components to Jake’s Law, but the most important is that it will save lives.

JEM was founded a year after Denise Machovsky and her husband Ben lost their son Jake to suicide on Jan. 11, 2016. The JEM Foundation was established in memory of Jacob Edward Machovsky and was named in his honor.

Denise has dedicated her life to youth suicide prevention. Tom and I are honored to raise our voices in support of this worthwhile organization and to help raise funds to improve the lives of youth struggling with mental health challenges and to put an end to youth suicide.

Please join us in making this event a huge success so that JEM, with the guidance of Denise and Ben, can continue to help children weather the storm and know that they matter.

JEM has a great event planned for you! Life Is A Beach takes place 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 at Chaparral Park in Scottsdale. There will be plenty of good food and drinks along with music, a yoyo performer and giveaways. You don’t want to miss it!

There are two ways to attend and plenty of ways to help at www.LifeisABeach2020.com.

First, purchase a Beach Dining Experience JEM is setting up 20 beach tents spread across the field to enjoy the event and practice safe distancing. A Beach Dining Experience is private and comes with food for four, and the tent is yours to keep!

The second way to attend is to stop by and enjoy some food from a local food truck. We’ll have various vendors with information about mental health and youth suicide prevention.

The proceeds from the event go directly to the JEM Foundation, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charity. The funds will be used to further JEM’s efforts to #endyouthsuicide.

JEM provides education and training, funds for treatment and medication, parent/caregiver support and resources, along with supporting and fighting for mental health legislation to improve Arizona’s behavioral health care system.

We know life is a real “beach” right now, but we’re going to make the best of it. Visit www.LifeIsABeach2020.com for details, tickets, and lots of great merchandise.

Editor’s Note: Scottsdale City Council-elects Betty Janik and Tom Durham are both Scottsdale residents. Their City Council term is set to begin in January 2021.