The Hope & Resiliency Coalition welcomes community members Sunday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. to Barrett’s Park, Boothbay Harbor to honor and remember loved ones lost to suicide. Hope & Resiliency is a group of committed community members who gather regularly out of concern for those struggling with hopelessness, mental health challenges and suicide loss. This group started under the leadership of Sarah Foulger in response to an alarming rise in suicides within the Boothbay region and as a call to action to be proactive in the community. The group has three stated purposes:

1. To support persons in the community who are survivors of suicide or those who are struggling with mental health and other challenges.

2. To create and support programs that assist in healing for those affected by hopelessness, mental health challenges, and/or suicide loss.

3. To encourage community conversations about and awareness of mental health challenges and suicide, and to offer hope, healing, and resiliency resources.

Since forming in the summer of 2016, Hope & Resiliency members have collaborated to start a Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support group through LincolnHealth, start a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Combined Support Group at the Community Center and co-host a well-attended Three Stories of Hope & Resiliency event with NAMI Maine last September. In addition they coordinated to provide both a Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention training and a Mental Health First Aid in the Boothbay community.

Reverend Sarah Foulger will lead the gathering in a candle-lighting ceremony to honor those lost and Greg Marley from NAMI Maine will share insight and resources. Sept. 10,World Suicide Prevention Day, is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention resources as well as support and healing resources for those who have lost someone to suicide. All are welcome to attend and light a candle to honor their loved ones.

For more information about Hope & Resiliency Coalition you may contact Anni Pat McKenney at annipat.mckenney@lchcare.org or 633-1542.