AUSTINTOWN — The 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, which is on the Weathersfield border.

Potted flowers and garden cosmos were donated by Flying HIGH Inc. and given to those in attendance at the event. 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.

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 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.

Piccirilli said 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 increased number in suicide deaths in Mahoning County, we knew that there 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 so far 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,” Lee DeVita, program coordinator, Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board, 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,” DeVita said.

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.

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

Piccirilli said the location of the gazebo makes it accessible for those across 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’re not alone, and that’s what we want to get across,” he said.

Piccirilii 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/.