Rascal Flatts works to prevent youth suicide

In addition to their roles in public service announcements, public awareness programs and fundraising, the group will also promote the foundation's newly created "B1" Project.

The "B1" Project is a nationwide effort specifically geared to educate youth and students on how to recognize when a friend might be struggling with thoughts of suicide or life in general, and how to help. The theme is "Someone you know may need a friend - B 1".

As a part of their ambassador role, Rascal Flatts will be directly involved in this project through a widespread media and social networking campaign. The campaign will include public service announcements, poster distribution to schools and Facebook initiatives. Rascal Flatts will also be showing their public service announcements during concerts throughout their "Nothing Like This Tour," which launches June 25 in Raleigh, N.C.

"Having been personally affected by suicide," said Jay DeMarcus, "it's important for me to do all that we can to create more awareness and prevention, particularly with teenagers. We are proud to be partners with the Jason Foundation, and we are looking forward to doing our part in trying to help them save even more lives."

"We look forward to helping give people the right tools to recognize the signs," said Gary LeVox. "Our youth need to know they have options and there are people that want to help them."

The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI believes that awareness and education are the first steps to prevention and focuses on establishing a Triangle of Prevention by providing students, parents and teachers/youth workers the tools and resources to help them identify and assist at-risk youth. This is accomplished through a series of programs and services that focus on information about the awareness and prevention of youth suicide.