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AUSTINTOWN – Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board staff honored the recent International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day with a dedication of the Reflection Garden and Gazebo at the Mahoing Valley Campus of Care, bordering Weathersfield.

Potted flowers and garden cosmos were donated by Flying HIGH Inc. and given to those attending the event. Known for its resilience and ability to thrive in any environment, the garden cosmos represents those who have lost someone close to them to suicide.

Duane Piccirilli, executive director of the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, said the Reflection Garden was developed in collaboration with the board and the Western Reserve Port Authority.

Sunstone Garden of Struthers has designed and will be planting the flowers around the gazebo.

Irisa Green from Sunstone Garden has selected different colors of roses for the garden to represent values ​​such as friendship, family and love.

Piccirilli said the space will provide a tranquil, reflective environment where loved ones can walk or sit and reflect on peaceful memories of those they have lost.

“With the increased number of suicide deaths in Mahoning County, we knew there was a need for something like this, not only to raise awareness, but to show those who have lost someone to suicide that there is a place they can go and that support is available. for them,” Piccirilli said.

During the ceremony, 50 yellow flags were visible around the speakers. The flags represented the 50 suicide deaths in Mahoning County so far this year. In 2023, there were a total of 53 deaths by suicide in Mahoning County.

“We are unfortunately on track to potentially see another record year for suicides in Mahoning,” said Lee DeVita, program coordinator for the Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board.

“What we’re seeing with these deaths is that the trends have changed. The general ages have fallen, the means have become more violent. We hope that doing something so small can get more people talking and providing help,” DeVita said.

In his presentation, Piccirilli emphasized that every death by suicide has far-reaching consequences.

“Research shows that for every suicide, 135 people are affected. This means that here in Mahoning County, 6,750 people will not have a loved one, friend or family member at the table for the holidays this year,” he said.

Piccirilli said the reflection garden will provide a new peaceful space for survivors and for those affected by suicide or drug overdose.

Piccirilli said the location of the gazebo makes it accessible to people on the other side of the valley who might want to use the space.

“The best thing you can say to someone who has lost a loved one is that he or she is not alone, and that is what we want to convey,” he said.

Piccirilii said if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you should call or text 988.

For more information about International Suicide Loss Day, visit afsp.org/international-survivors-of-suicide-loss-day/.