Cape Cod Ribbon Ceremony Remembers Those Lost to Suicide

Ribbons were placed on a line Thursday at the Barnstable Superior Courthouse to remember those lost to suicide and to raise awareness for prevention efforts.

BARNSTABLE – A tearful ceremony was held outside the Barnstable Superior Courthouse Thursday to remember loved ones lost to suicide.

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

Attendees told the stories of how they lost loved ones and placed yellow ribbons on a line in their memory. Blue and purple ribbons were also placed to raise awareness for prevention efforts for others who need help.

“The more we talk about it, the more we lower the stigma, the better chances we have to lower the rates of suicide,” said Kevin Marshall, a Nantucket Police Sergeant and co-chair of the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition.

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

Marshall said he was happy with the turnout for Thursday’s event, which was one of its largest.

“It just goes to show that we are having an impact on the Cape and that people are becoming aware of the prevention that is available to people who are suffering,” Marshall said.

Marshall placed a ribbon for his partner, who just found out one of his best friends in Ohio committed suicide.

Dozens of other ribbons were attached to the line to honor sons, daughters, other family members and friends.

Max Money, a member of the Corporal Jeffrey M. Lucey Chapter 041 of Veterans for Peace, the Cape Cod chapter, placed a blue and purple ribbon for the troops who come home and run into trouble, along with their families.

Money said 20 percent of troops who come back from overseas have post-traumatic stress disorder.

He also placed a yellow ribbon for Cpl. Lucey, a marine who committed suicide in 2004. Veterans for Peace Cape Cod dedicated and renamed its chapter in honor of Cpl. Lucey in March of 2011.

“We hope there are no more yellow ribbons,” Money said.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

About CapeCod.com NewsCenter

The award-winning CapeCod.com NewsCenter provides the Cape Cod community with a constant, credible source for local news. We are on the job seven days a week.



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy