September 30 marked the end of National Suicide Prevention Month, but, as a lot of people know, suicide prevention is a 365 day a year job. In Newtown, several town departments and organizations joined together to take a step toward more permanent suicide prevention and intervention by installing a listening bench on the Fairfield Hills campus.

Tuesday morning, members of Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative, several police officers, local EMTs, and town leaders all gathered around the green listening bench for a formal dedication ceremony.

Just a few strides away from Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps headquarters, the bench provides a place for community members to sit and talk to others about problems they may be facing. A sign sits just to the left of the bench with the number for 988, the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Underneath the sign is a box with pamphlets from Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative that provide resources and information for those facing crisis.

The idea for the bench, which is modeled after Italian conversation benches, came from a resident, Julia Sikes Provey. She explained to The Newtown Bee that one spring day, she looked out into her yard and took note of a similar bench in her own yard. She thought to herself, she said, that it would be “nice” if there was a designated bench for people to congregate at during times of strife.

So Sikes Provey did what a lot of people find themselves doing these days: she shared the idea on Facebook. Her post received a lot of attention, and next thing she knew, John Voket, director of Economic and Community Development, contacted her. Voket thought it was a great idea, she said, and he started working with Fairfield Hills Authority to get this project started. The bench was installed last week.

This week, community leaders shared words about the importance of the bench and the necessity for more consistent and compassionate suicide intervention.

Voket began the ceremony by thanking those in attendance “for coming and for sharing the information in each of your own individual circles about this brand new, first of its kind initiative that we are promoting here in Newtown toward providing a place where listening can occur for someone who needs to be listened to, and to also equally, if not more importantly, continuously to support and remind people to destigmatize suicide and mental health issues and individuals in crisis.”

Voket said most people know someone affected by suicide or mental health issues, which is why this bench is so important. He offered thanks to First Selectman Jeff Capeci for supporting the project, as well as Ross Carley from Fairfield Hills Authority. He recognized LRM Inc for donating the installation of the bench, and Signorama for the sign.

Newtown Parks & Rec staff assembled the bench and kept it in their office until it was ready to be installed, noted Voket, who also thanked Maureen Crick Owen and Anna Wiedemann from Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative who also helped the project. Then, Voket invited Capeci to speak.

“First of all, I’m honored to be here to talk to you about this,” Capeci began. “At first glance, it may look like it’s simply a place to sit, but it represents so much more. Our community has compassion and commitment for one another.

“It’s difficult to imagine wanting it to be used, but it’s there when it’s needed. I hope it will help,” the first selectman said. “If we can do anything in this town to prevent [suicide], I’m all for it.”

Donna Culbert, director of Newtown Health District, spoke next. She did not stand next to the bench. Instead, she sat on it and read a few words to the crowd.

Culbert noted that suicide is an “escalating public health issue” that affects all ages, but “especially among our younger generation.” She read a few words from National Alliance on Mental Illness, which included “let’s make silence a thing of the past.”

Culbert said studies show people who are experiencing suicidal ideation feel relief when someone asks about it in a kind, compassionate manner.

Natalie Griffith, director of Human Services in town, spoke next.

“I’m really proud that we’re one of the leading communities to have formed some formal protocols around [sudden deaths] … Change starts with a conversation to be brave, open, and ready to listen. This bench serves as a beacon, not just for giving that space for the conversation to start, but also the message that it sends to our entire community that your community is here for you and ready to listen.”

Griffith also discussed the Newtown Suicide Postvention program, which aims to support those bereaved by suicide. It is a collaboration between Newtown Human Services Department, Newtown School District, Newtown Health District, and Newtown Youth & Family Services. The departments work together to provide support for families affected by suicide and coordinate resources for the community. Griffith mentioned that those exposed to suicide may be more likely to die by suicide themselves.

Crick Owen and Wiedemann also shared a few words on behalf of Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative.

Crick Owen shared, “One of the reasons I am involved in this is my nephew, at 19, and that was in 2007, died by suicide. I know what it does to families, I witnessed it. So, if we can help one person or one person talk about it, we have success.”

Wiedemann encouraged attendees to not look at the bench “in a negative way.

“Think of kindness and think of just sitting next to someone and talking to them. My kids always say to me, ‘Do you have to talk to everybody?’ Yes! Everybody needs to talk to everybody and reach out to everybody in one way or another because you don’t know what’s going on in their journey.”

Voket then shared a story from the bench’s installation the week before the ceremony.

“Moments after the bench installation was finished last Tuesday. I was standing here looking at it, someone walked up from behind me that I didn’t see and said, ‘Are you okay?’ Total stranger. Said, ‘Yes, thank you very much.’”

Carley then spoke next. He explained that Fairfield Hills means a lot of things to a lot of people. He said he loves the “peace and solitude” people can get just by walking through the property. He said Fairfield Hills Authority felt the listening bench “really fits the whole theme of Fairfield Hills.”

After his remarks, Sikes Provey was the last to speak. Like Culbert, Sikes Provey sat on the bench while addressing the crowd.

“I’m so grateful for everyone who made this happen, and so quickly,” she began. She noted Fairfield Hills’ history as a mental health installation and the stigma that surrounds mental health.

“The most important thing I have found in my life is someone to listen, not necessarily give advice … but just listening, I think, is really, really important.”

As Sikes Provey said before the ceremony, “A problem shared is a problem halved.”

In closing, Voket reminded the crowd that the best way to prevent suicide is to point-blank ask a person if they are considering self-harm or suicide.

If anyone is considering self harm or suicide, call 988. For those who wish to receive more formal training on suicide prevention, visit qprinstitute.com.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.