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AUSTINTOWN — Staff at the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board honored the recent National Suicide Survivors Day with the dedication of the Reflection Garden and Gazebo at the Mahoing Valley Care Campus, which is located on the Weathersfield border.

Potted flowers and garden cosmos were donated by Flying HIGH Inc. and distributed to people present at the event. The garden cosmos is known for its resilience and ability to thrive in any setting, representing those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

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

Sunstone Garden of Struthers designed and planted the flowers around the gazebo.

Irisa Green of Sunstone Garden chose different colors of roses for her garden to represent the values ​​of friendship, family and love.

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

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

During 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, there were a total of 53 suicides reported in Mahoning County.

“Unfortunately, we are on track to likely have another record year for suicides in Mahoning,” said Lee DeVita, program coordinator for the Mahoning County Health and Recovery Board.

“We are seeing a change in trends with these deaths. The overall age has decreased and the measures have become more brutal. “We hope that doing something so small will get more people talking and getting help,” DeVita said.

In his presentation, Piccirilli emphasized that each suicide death has a far-reaching impact.

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

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

Piccirilli said the gazebo’s location makes it accessible to people from throughout the valley who may want to use the space.

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

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

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