Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board honors International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day | News

MINERAL RIDGE, Ohio — The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board staff honored International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day with the dedication of the Reflection Garden and Gazebo on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Mahoning Valley Campus of Care.

The dedication ceremony was held in the Atrium at the Mahoning Valley Campus of Care, according to a press release.

Speakers included Duane Piccirilli, executive director, Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board; Lee DeVita, program coordinator, Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board; and Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti.

Piccirilli also serves as president of the Hermitage Board of Commissioners.

Potted flowers and garden cosmos were donated by Flying High Inc. and given to those in attendance.

The garden cosmos is known for its resilience and ability to prosper in any setting, representing those who have lost someone close to them from suicide.

The Reflection Garden was developed in collaboration with the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board and the Western Reserve Port Authority.

Sunstone Garden of Struthers designed and will plant the flowers around the gazebo. Irisa Green from Sunstone Garden picked different colors of roses for the garden to represent values like friendship, family and love.

The space will provide a quiet, reflective setting for loved ones to walk or sit and reflect on peaceful memories of those they have lost.

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

At the ceremony, 50 yellow flags could be seen around the speakers. The flags represented the 50 suicide deaths in Mahoning County this year.

In 2023, Mahoning County saw 53 total deaths by suicide.

“We’re on track to possibly see another record year for suicides in Mahoning unfortunately.” DeVita said.

“What we’re seeing with these deaths is that trends have changed. The overall ages have lowered, the means have become more violent. We hope that doing something small like this can get more people talking and get them help.”

In his presentation, Piccirilli highlighted that each death by suicide has a far reach.

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

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988.

To learn more about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, visit afsp.org/international-survivors-of-suicide-loss-day/