‘We are here’

The CDC estimates that someone in the U.S. commits suicide every 11 minutes. The boroughs of Palmyra and Riverton – along with their police departments – decided to shed light on that.

On the morning of Sept. 7 – September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – the towns sponsored their first Purple and Teal Ribbon Walk to honor survivors, those who’ve lost their battle and those still struggling.

“It’s a great turnout for the first year,” said Suzanne Wells, a participant who strolled down the tree-lined road along the tracks from Main Street in Riverton to Chief Flournoy Park in Palmyra. “It was beautiful walking on Little Broad Street.”

“I walked for my uncle, who took his life,” Roxanna Carberry said.

“I walked for my brother,” noted Victoria Carberry.

“We walked for our brother, Whit,” Nicole Cesaretti remarked.

When they reached the park, walkers could browse pamphlets and ask questions at information booths set up by the local police, the Burlington County Division of Military and Veterans Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“For the first year it’s really great to have everyone out here to raise awareness,” said Palmyra police officer Matt Maresca, who was at a booth with special officer Gerald Griffin. He explained that police often respond to crisis situations, and if they come across someone considering suicide or suffering from addiction, they call a life coach to meet with that person within 30 minutes.

“We are the middle person,” Maresca pointed out, adding that the officers help people find resources to resolve the issues they’re facing.

“It’s great to see the people out here,” said Riverton officer Vincent Coniglione of the walk. “We are happy to be a part of it and we will help any way we can.”

“We are happy to be involved and participate in this effort to get the word out,” shared Evelyn Rosado, head of the Division of Military and Veterans Service at the Burlington County Department of Human Services.

“We are here to provide services to the veterans in our communities,” Rosado said, adding that many of them are not aware of the health and monetary benefits available to them. For information on that, go to www.co.burlington.nj.us and click on veterans services.

Readjustment counselor Darryll L. Johnson and social worker Heather Cabeceiro were at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs information booth during the Purple and Teal Ribbon Walk distributing pamphlets on PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

“Suicide is a difficult problem for the community and includes our beautiful veterans’ population,” said Johnson, who works out of the Trenton Vet Center and made the trip to Riverton and Palmyra. “I love it. These are beautiful towns and the people are warm and friendly.”

“It feels great to be here and bring awareness to problems veterans are facing,” expressed Cabeceiro, who works at the Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz VA (Veterans Affairs) Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Speakers at the walk also addressed people gathered at the Chief Flournoy Park band shell, including a positive message from Renee Cappetta of the Guitar Guild, which sponsored the Palmyra Porch Walk musical festival later in the afternoon.

“Yes, I have been touched by suicide,” Cappetta acknowledged. “I understand the confusion, helplessness and despair that those of us left behind must endure. But today, I’ve been asked to say a few words about the importance of music on mental health. It’s very simple: Music is for living, music is for life.

“Music is the soundtrack of our lives that keeps us uplifted and creative,” she added. “When we share music with others, we connect. When we connect with each other, we connect with our own life force. This is the power of music, to help us stay present in the moment and realize that life is worth living.”

Purple and Teal Ribbon Walk participants connected with each other, shared their stories and increased awareness of suicide. Anyone considering suicide should contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by texting 988 any time day or night.