PLATTSBURGH — Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project partnered with the Clinton County NY Coalition to Prevent Suicide for Downtown’s latest mural entitled, “You Matter; The 988 Mural.”
It just may be the strongest message yet.
When complete on Friday, the mural will read, “You Matter,” which is a message to both those with thoughts of suicide, as well as those who may be there for someone who does.
“Every person matters,” Bonnie Black, chair of the Clinton County NY Coalition to Prevent Suicide, said.
“Anyone who is having thoughts and is moving toward action of suicide, matters and needs resources, someone to turn to, friends, family, neighbors, and to talk the dark thoughts away. Studies have shown that in the 10 to 15 minutes it takes to talk to someone who is thinking of suicide, if you know what to do and what to listen for, are more likely to not do it.”
MESSAGE OF HELP
The painting, which began last week, will also feature the semi-colon, which has been used as a symbol of strength and overcoming.
Hidden in the blue mountainscape are positive messages from multiple artists, families, students and other members of the community.
“We thought it was important to have people on here, from the community,” Amy Guglielmo, Outside Art founder, said.
“To leave messages, about loved ones, positive uplifting messages. They will then be painted over in the same color, hidden. But they will live on the wall forever.”
In the right corner, closest to Broad Street, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, “9-8-8,” will be painted as a reminder to all of the resources available.
“We really want people to know someone cares and there are resources,” Guglielmo said.
“It can be a reminder for someone that they have someone to reach out to.”
19th MURAL
This will be Outside Art’s 19th mural to be painted in Downtown Plattsburgh. The design was created by local artist and Outside Art member, Giovanina Bucci.
Bucci said that is has been, “really satisfying,” to get the paint on the wall.
“It’s just been an awesome culmination of a lot of backend work to get this up,” she said.
The phrase, “You Matter!” acts as a reminder for Bucci.
“Even on our worst days, we have value and worth and there is a reason we are all here,” she said.
“I hope it serves that purpose for others. I am really looking forward to seeing action in the community. My big hope for this is to spark conversation. Between family, friends and just to get people talking.”
The Warren Tire Service Center, at 13 Broad St., graciously donated the westward facing wall of their building to the Outside Art team for use of the mural.
“This feels great,” Jenn Boyer, General Manager of Warren Tire, said.
“They came to us, Deena (McCullough) and Dana (Jeweler) they sat with me and Ed, my dad, to present the big vision and we knew we had to say ‘yes’, and it kind of went on from there.”
This location was chosen because it is facing Stafford Middle School and highly visible.
“We hope this mural will be the beginning of more resources becoming available. The goal is to get that information out there for those in need,” Boyer said.
EDUCATION
The mural will be officially unveiled during this year’s Lake City Arts Fest which will take place Saturday, Aug. 24.
Three brand new murals planned for Downtown Plattsburgh will be announced on Monday, July 1.
According to Black, in recent years the second leading cause of death in people from the ages of 10 years old to 24 years old is suicide.
Organizers hope this latest mural will mark the beginning of more suicide prevention education in the area and destigmatizing mental health.
“One goal is to destigmatize. Our hope is to have people’s mental health and wellness become something we can focus on,” Guglielmo said.
Black said that a mural regarding suicide prevention was in development prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had to put our wishes and hopes on hold,” she said.
“We started discussing the when and where of it all when we were blessed by the Boyer family for this wall. The message will be here for a long time. The only way to prevent suicide is with prevention education.”
Starting in the fall, winter and spring of next year, Clinton County will have a myriad of choices of prevention education for businesses, organizations, individuals and more, spanning from 45 minutes to two full days of education, Black said.
“We are hoping this mural is the beginning of the education,” she said.