Loved Ones Lost to Suicide Remembered with Ribbon Ceremony in Barnstable

COURTESY OF THE CAPE AND ISLANDS SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION

COURTESY OF THE CAPE AND ISLANDS SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION

BARNSTABLE – Emotions were high Thursday outside the Barnstable Superior Courthouse as individuals gathered to remember loved ones lost to suicide.

The Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition held its annual ribbon hanging ceremony in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Day.

“It allows our region and those who are a part of it to share their story of why this day is so important,” said Kevin Marashall, a Nantucket Police Sergeant and co-chair of the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Attendees told the stories of how they lost loved ones and hung a ribbon in their memory on the front lawn of the courthouse.

“Often it’s the first time that somebody has felt safe in a secure environment to express and explain their story without any judgement,” Marshall said.

The Cape and Islands has a suicide rate 1.4 times higher than the state average.

“Coming from Nantucket I tend to take it a little more personally because you often know the person has taken their own life,” Marshall said. “So anything that I can do or anything the coalition can do to try and prevent this affecting other people is our goal.”

A second ribbon ceremony will be held Saturday at noon at Nantucket Atheneum.

Following the Nantucket ceremony, Samaritans of Cape Cod and the Islands will also hold a safe Harbor support group meeting at 1 p.m. for those who have lost someone to suicide.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

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