MiraVista to Recognize Suicide Loss Day on Nov. 23

HOLYOKE — MiraVista Behavioral Health Center will illuminate its façade in teal and blue on Saturday, Nov. 23 in recognition of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.

“The annual day on the Saturday before Thanksgiving dates back to a congressional resolution in 1999 and is also known as Survivor Day,” said Kimberley Lee, MiraVista’s chief of Creative Strategy and Development. “It aims to provide understanding support for those mourning loved ones who have died by suicide and to give survivors hope for healing.”

It has been estimated that a death by suicide impacts at least a half-dozen individuals, and exposure to suicide has been shown to be an increased risk for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress as those bereaved struggle to grieve.

As a psychiatric hospital, MiraVista, through its staff and mission, provides “hope for healing every day to patients and their families facing acute behavioral-health challenges,” Lee said. “Our message to individuals in psychiatric crisis is that they are not alone. We are here with evidence-based treatment and compassionate care to help patients return to lives in the community.”

Teal and blue are among the colors leading organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention highlight to symbolize awareness, with teal showing support for anyone struggling or who has attempted suicide, and blue signifying support for the prevention of suicide in such ways as knowing the warning signs and how to get help.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Its statistics show that more than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022, while 13.2 million adults seriously considered suicide, 3.8 million made a plan for suicide, and 1.6 million adults attempted suicide.

Individualized treatment programs at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center include inpatient care for both adults and adolescents, as well as outpatient services for those in recovery for substance use, including FDA-approved medications like methadone for opioid-use disorder.