The Cambria County coroner’s office has had the Yellow Ribbon program in place since 2003.

Coroner Jeff Lees says they have reached 35,000 students in the county, “This program has saved many lives over the years.  Everybody deals with stress on a daily basis, but it’s how you handle these problems that could have a long term impact on the rest of your life.”

Suicide was the second most common cause of death among teens in Cambria County in 2001. Since adopting the program, Lees says the numbers have decreased.

The program was started by students in Colorado.  Tuesday afternoon students at Greater Johnstown presented a check to the campaign to encourage their effort against suicide.

“It’s pretty neat that the students here at Johnstown High School got together and raised funds to give back to this program, which was started by people their own age,” Lees says.

“We just tried our hardest to bring awareness because suicide is something that affects everyone in the community,” student Cassidy Klein adds.

Lees says that money is going right back into the program so that they can continue to offer hope and help through prevention videos.

“We go out with surviving parents that have seen the flip side of what it’s like to bury a child and to tell their story.”

The video is being shown throughout the county.  Lees says he hopes it helps to reduce suicides not only among teens, but everyone because he says suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Those with the Yellow Ribbon program remind you that it’s okay to ask for help.