Huge turnout for 'Teen Tinnitus'

Saturday's Teen Tinnitus event was a homecoming, of sorts, for Navar drummer Tim Lindhome. The Portville, N.Y., native is the son of Coudersport High School graduate Rick Lindhome and the grandson of the late Richard and Muriel Lindhome.

Teen Tinnitus returned to the Coudersport Consistory auditorium Saturday with music, dancing and testimonials. More than 500 teens and about 50 adults turned out to hear Fool Hardy, Brookland, Brittany Garrison, Custom Gauge, Sandlot Heroes and, in a rollicking finale, recording artist and touring band Navar.

"Things went very well," said Potter County Judge John Leete, one of the driving forces behind the Potter County Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention program.

The event was billed by Yellow Ribbon as "celebration of life and music. Between musical acts, several young people who had overcome personal obstacles or suffered the consequences of risky behavior shared testimony and messages of hope.

Potter County Commissioner Cathy Bowers and her husband, Merv, were among the volunteers who were on hand to supervise and chaperone.

"It's loud, but it's something positive for the kids," Bowers said as she stood next to the stage as Navar pounded out its high-energy opening selection. "The Yellow Ribbon campaign is one of Potter County's success stories. We've brought all of these kids together for something they enjoy and we haven't had a bit of trouble."

Lead vocalist and guitarist Pat Barry led his band, Navar, in a rollicking conclusion to Saturday's Teen Tinnitus suicide prevention event at the Coudersport Consistory.

Judge Leete pointed out that the program has become a model for other Pennsylvania counties. Potter County gathered community leaders, schools, law enforcement, clergy, mental health professionals and others to launch Yellow Ribbon in 2003, in response to three teen suicides.

Leete commended Cameron County for its recent adoption of a program similar to Yellow Ribbon, called "Signs of Suicide" (SOS).

Although Saturday's event focused on young people, Leete said it's important for parents and other adults to be vigilant.

"Discussion is only part of the answer," he noted. "It does no good to teach kids to ask for help if help is not available. We must have quality and accessible counseling and mental health services."