An 18-year-old is dead after he was shot by a JSO officer on Wednesday night. His family said he was a troubled teen, who struggled with severe depression and suicide.
First Coast News spoke with a behavioral health specialist to give perspective on resources available for struggling teens.
JSO tells us the teen, Dylan Thomas, robbed a delivery driver and handed the money back to the woman before he was caught by police.
Dylan was found in a Mandarin apartment complex and ran away from the officer while pointing a BB gun that looked like a revolver.
"I just wish I got to hug him one more time," said Cameron Thomas, Dylan's older brother. "He suffered with severe depression. He was Baker Acted several times. He was suicidal. I feel like he's free."
Dylan's family said he was on probation for possession of a firearm as a minor and dealing stolen property. He turned 18 in September, making him an adult.
"As the individual is becoming an adult, it does not always open up more resources, in fact sometimes it limits resources," said Dr. Terrie Andrews of Behavioral Health at Baptist Medical Center. She said therapists in school and youth health programs aren't available anymore.
The hospital offers training for members of the community.
"We have partnered with hospitals in the Northeast Florida area to be able to bring in trainers to provide mental health first aid training to the community. We've also done it with first responders."
They've trained more than 10,000 people in three years, including law enforcement officers who can take what they've learned to the field.
Other mental health resources are available at the Mental Health Resource Center, including Jail Based Diversion services.
If you're struggling with mental health, you can always call the 24-hour suicide prevention hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
To learn more about the Mental Health First Aid, you can visit the Baptist Medical Center's website.