Tuesday, May 16
2 p.m.
The Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park
287 Ridge Road
Hartsdale, New York
The Healing Garden is the result of a planning committee Latimer appointed in 2021 to provide him with recommendations for a memorial site, and is introduced in partnership with the Westchester County Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH), Parks, Recreation and Conservation, NAMI Westchester and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Latimer said: “I am very proud to welcome everyone to visit The Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park – the result of a promise we made to people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. We wanted to create a peaceful site for reflection for family members and friends, and help address the stigma that is often attached to suicide – a key initiative of Mental Health Awareness Month. I hope that when a survivor of suicide is having a difficult day, they come to this beautiful space and seek comfort and solace in their surroundings. Let this garden help people to ‘heal,’ and rekindle happy memories while they are here.”
The Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park consists of a variety of trees, a pathway and benches in a circular shape. The Garden is situated within a serene setting, and is intended as a gathering place for family, friends and the public to contemplate and reflect on those who have been lost to suicide, and for the education and awareness of suicide prevention.
Commissioner of DCMH Michael Orth said: “We are greatly appreciative of County Executive Latimer’s for making mental health and wellness a top priority for our County. It has been a true honor working with our planning committee and offering a place for family and friends to gather and honor their loved ones, and help to stop the stigma of suicide and mental illness.”
Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation Kathy O’Connor said: “Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale is the perfect setting for The Healing Garden, as it is centrally located in Westchester and free to access all year round. The 236-acre park in our beautiful parks system is ideal for visits by families and friends, and is also the site of NAMI’s annual mental health walk. We hope it will be utilized by anyone who is grieving, and needs a tranquil place to heal from loss.”
Executive Director of NAMI Westchester Marie Considine said: “We at NAMI Westchester know firsthand that although all of us have mental health, not everyone experiences a crisis. Families and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide often call us, and we give them help and hope. Often they are in distress, plus not having, or only having, a graveside to visit can increase feelings of sadness. The Westchester Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park will be a safe, calm, comforting space in nature to support anyone as they deal with feelings of loss, sadness or any reason to visit.”
Latimer’s planning committee consisted of appointed members including survivors, advocates of suicide prevention and awareness efforts, and leadership from County Departments. The committee members are as follows:
Barbara Bernstein MHA of Westchester
Marie Considine NAMI Westchester
Jill Costa
Laura Davis
Dawn Yancy Elleby Survivor/Family Member
Lucille & Roy Ettere Survivor/Family Member
Silvia Giliotti
Ellen Hendrickx Survivor/Family Member & Westchester County Ex. Office
Maria Idoni
Aviva Meyer
Kathleen O’Connor Commissioner Westchester Parks & Recreation
Michael Orth Commissioner Westchester County DCMH
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