by: Shelby Mastovich
“…And I would have stayed up with you all night had I known how to save a life…” This is a verse from the popular song, “How to Save a Life,” by The Fray--a song about suicide prevention. This is what Freshmen at Greater Johnstown High School learned at an assembly given by the Cambria County Coroner's Office--how to help save the lives of peers struggling with the idea of suicide. The presentation is titled The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. Cambria County Chief Deputy Coroner, Jeff Lees, along with counselor, Dan Ayers, and Dale Emme (father of Michael Emme), spoke about the tragic effects of suicide and the importance of having awareness on how to prevent it.
The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program was initiated in Colorado, by the parents of Michael Emme, after their son committed suicide at the age of seventeen in 1994. Their purpose of establishing this program is to provide insight to students all over the nation about the effects of suicide and to inform them of ways to help those who are at risk of committing suicide. Forty-seven countries and all fifty states are now involved with implementing the program. During the assembly, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Cards are handed out to the students, which educate and encourage them to take the steps necessary to stop suicide in its tracks. The cards are to be used as a “lifeline;” when a card is given to someone, he/she is asking for help. The cards speak for themselves, and they let the receiver know what to do next. The color yellow was chosen because Michael drove a yellow Mustang, which he rebuilt and cherished very much.
Cambria County Chief Deputy Coroner, Jeff Lees, knows very well that suicide is the second most prevalent cause of death in teens within Cambria County. He is very involved with implementing the program throughout the county’s schools. During the program’s involvement at Greater Johnstown, he stressed that recognizing warning signs of suicidal thoughts and talking about emotional problems are essential in avoiding suicide.
After attending the program, students at Greater Johnstown were a lot more educated about suicide. The intention of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is to prevent the calamity of someone taking their life. The speakers stressed how suicide is a permanent solution to a non-permanent situation. Any student who was fortunate enough to experience the program is now prepared with a resolution to preventing suicide in themselves and those around them.
“…And I would have stayed up with you all night had I known how to save a life…” This is a verse from the popular song, “How to Save a Life,” by The Fray--a song about suicide prevention. This is what Freshmen at Greater Johnstown High School learned at an assembly given by the Cambria County Coroner's Office--how to help save the lives of peers struggling with the idea of suicide. The presentation is titled The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. Cambria County Chief Deputy Coroner, Jeff Lees, along with counselor, Dan Ayers, and Dale Emme (father of Michael Emme), spoke about the tragic effects of suicide and the importance of having awareness on how to prevent it.
The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program was initiated in Colorado, by the parents of Michael Emme, after their son committed suicide at the age of seventeen in 1994. Their purpose of establishing this program is to provide insight to students all over the nation about the effects of suicide and to inform them of ways to help those who are at risk of committing suicide. Forty-seven countries and all fifty states are now involved with implementing the program. During the assembly, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Cards are handed out to the students, which educate and encourage them to take the steps necessary to stop suicide in its tracks. The cards are to be used as a “lifeline;” when a card is given to someone, he/she is asking for help. The cards speak for themselves, and they let the receiver know what to do next. The color yellow was chosen because Michael drove a yellow Mustang, which he rebuilt and cherished very much.
Cambria County Chief Deputy Coroner, Jeff Lees, knows very well that suicide is the second most prevalent cause of death in teens within Cambria County. He is very involved with implementing the program throughout the county’s schools. During the program’s involvement at Greater Johnstown, he stressed that recognizing warning signs of suicidal thoughts and talking about emotional problems are essential in avoiding suicide.
After attending the program, students at Greater Johnstown were a lot more educated about suicide. The intention of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is to prevent the calamity of someone taking their life. The speakers stressed how suicide is a permanent solution to a non-permanent situation. Any student who was fortunate enough to experience the program is now prepared with a resolution to preventing suicide in themselves and those around them.
