A free vigil for people who have lost someone to suicide is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the memory garden in Cofrin Nature Park. Where to park and where to find support.

People in Gainesville who have lost a family member or friend to suicide can gather at a free vigil at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Cofrin Nature Park.

The vigil marks International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. It takes place at the Judy Broward Survivors of Suicide Loss Memory Garden, inside the park at 4810 NW Eighth Ave. The Alachua County Crisis Center announced it in a Nov. 5 release.

The county describes the day as one when “the friends and family of those who have died by suicide can join together for healing and support.” The event is open to the whole community.

Who is behind it

The Friends of the Crisis Center sponsors the vigil. It works with two partners:

  • the Alachua County Crisis Center
  • the Survivors of Suicide Support Group

The memory garden was dedicated in 2013 for people who have lost a loved one to suicide, the county said. The Friends of the Crisis Center thanked the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the County Commission for their help building and maintaining it.

Getting there
When 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
Where Memory garden, Cofrin Nature Park, 4810 NW Eighth Ave.
Cost Free
Parking University City Church of Christ lot, 4626 NW Eighth Ave., east of the park
Disabled parking At the park, with a disabled parking placard

The county asks people attending to use the church lot. Parking at the park is for people with a disabled parking placard.

What it means for you

  • The vigil is free and open to anyone who has lost someone to suicide, and to the wider community.
  • Plan to park at the church lot and walk west to the park.
  • Help is available any time, not only on the day. The Alachua County Crisis Center runs a 24-hour crisis line at 352-264-6789, and the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is at 988, according to the Crisis Center. The Spanish-language line is 1-888-628-9454.

The Crisis Center, at 218 SE 24th St., also offers walk-in help and counseling during business hours, the county said. It answers about 45,000 calls a year on its crisis lines.

More events this month are on our things to do page.