Butler Suicide Remembrance Rally honors lives lost, offers peace
Jennifer Zimmerman Simon has felt compelled to travel the country and provide some guidance to others after losing her 23-year-old son, William, to suicide one year ago.
Simon was one of several speakers who shared their life experiences as a way to honor the 35 lives lost to suicide in the county in 2023 at the Butler County Suicide Remembrance Rally at Diamond Park on Wednesday evening, Sept. 4.
“It’s such a special way to memorialize their lives,” said Simon. “Their final act didn’t determine their legacy. It didn’t. Events like this see to it that there’s more to the story, and that part of the story is told.”
In recognition of September being National Suicide Prevention Month, the Butler County Suicide Coalition is hosting an event each week to raise awareness and share prevention resources.
Families of those affected by suicide heard about the event and helped line the area around the fountain with shoes of lost loved ones.
“This is the first time that some people have brought their own shoes,” said Butler County Suicide Coalition co-chairwoman Amy Cirelli. “Some people brought pictures, which is great. I’m happy that more of the families are hearing about it because this is a way to remember their loved one and other people here have experienced the same kind of loss.”
Cirelli said she explores every possible avenue when it comes to promoting the event.
“We’ve done this for at least 10 years,” Cirelli said. “We’ve really tried to get the word out more in the last few years. When I started with the coalition, there would maybe be like 30 people. Once we’ve started promoting it more, more and more people have heard about it and more and more people have come.”
Simon never could have anticipated that she would have the opportunity to provide assistance to those struggling with their mental health. However, she has seized the chance to comfort others, while honoring her late son.
“We have to (speak),” said Simon of the importance of reaching out. “We can’t stay in hiding anymore. We have to bring an end to the shame and guilt that comes along with this in hiding. The more we speak, the more opportunity it gives somebody to share their truth.”
Butler resident Alyssa Forte also spoke to the crowd about overcoming her own battles with mental health and substance abuse. Her triumphs are what helped motivate her to work toward a career in social work.
“I think it’s a unique perspective whenever you’ve been through it,” said Forte about how her experiences can benefit others. “Being on both sides of it, you can kind of understand what it feels like to be in the person’s shoes.”
“I know it sounds cliché, but I always say to just talk about it.”
