Westchester County joins communities around the nation in recognizing Mental Illness Awareness Week, MIAW. MIAW runs through Sunday, Oct.10, which is also World Mental Health Day. Upholding Westchester County’s commitment to educating residents on the importance of overall mental health, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced the creation of a planning committee that will provide the county executive with recommendations for the creation of a memorial garden for those who have ended their lives by suicide in Westchester County.
The permanent memorial will help build awareness of suicide prevention, and create a place for reflection for family members and loved ones for those who have ended their lives by suicide in Westchester County.
“Family members and friends who mourn and miss a loved one who has died by suicide often have nowhere to go to express their feelings of loss and love,” said Marie Considine, executive director of NAMI. “Dedicating a Garden of Remembrance to honor those Westchester residents who have lost their lives to suicide will provide a public outdoor space for people to remember and reflect, while it will provide support, hope and awareness.”
The planning committee will consist of appointed members including survivors, advocates of suicide prevention and awareness efforts, and leadership
from county departments. The committee will hold its first meeting on Oct. 19, and present final recommendations to the County Executive’s office by
January 2022.
Mental Health Awareness Week also coincides with the following related events:
• Thursday, Oct. 7: National Depression Screening Day
• Saturday, Oct. 9: NAMIWalks United Day of Hope
• Sunday, Oct. 10: World Mental Health Day
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly
through family, friends or co-workers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, participants across the country raise awareness of mental
illness, fight discrimination and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week. “The Garden of Remembrance will give families a place to gather to honor their loved ones and it will also help to stop the stigma of suicide and mental illness,” said Roy and Lucille Ettere, who lost their child to suicide.
For additional information regarding the suicide memorial garden, please contact the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health at 995-5225 or email mmo6@westchestergov.com. For more information and a complete list of resources and services, please visit us at: https://mentalhealth.westchestergov.com/ or call us at 914-995-5220.
Please visit our interactive online directory and map of services: http://dcmhservices.westchestergov.com/DCMHServices/login.jsp. (Submitted)
