MONTICELLO, NY — In September, Sullivan County recognized National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month with a butterfly display in the front of the NAMI Sullivan County offices, at the Sullivan County Government Center and in front of the Sullivan County Department of Community Services.
The butterfly displays were intended to represent the butterfly effect and the belief that by making small changes in behavior, those who may be contemplating suicide can make a different choice, resulting in a better, healthier outcome.
Each butterfly represents a Sullivan County resident who died by suicide over the past year.
According to Albee Bockman, Sullivan County Coroner, in 2022, eight county residents died by suicide.
“While that is a lower number than we would have expected,” said NAMI Sullivan executive director Lori Schneider, “it’s absolutely eight too many.”
“September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and we want to bring awareness to the deaths by suicide in our county last year,” said Maria Idoni, director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hudson Valley/Westchester chapter. “Each butterfly in our garden represents one life lost to suicide in our county. Seeing the butterfly display is also a reminder that each of us transforms. The butterflies symbolically represent hope and new beginnings. There is always hope.”
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), suicide is the leading cause of death in people aged 10-34 years old. Those experiencing suicidal, substance use and/or mental health crises, or any type of distress should seek help, before it’s too late. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help.