Locals, students give mental health testimonies for Suicide Prevention Month
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Growing up, Syracuse Common Councilor Marino Nave’s mental health was shaped by the idea that there was something “wrong” with him. Not knowing he had Tourette syndrome until 26-years-old and feeling “hurt” by remarks regarding his sexuality, Nave dealt with stigma for the majority of his life, inspiring his resolution for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
“I’m a man with Tourette syndrome and I’m gay,” Nave said. “It took a long, long time to look myself in the mirror.”
The Council unanimously voted to recognize September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Syracuse on Sept. 21, highlighting the importance of mental health conversations and access to suicide prevention resources in the city. Though the month has been recognized nationwide since 2008, this marks the first year the city of Syracuse will also honor it.
Nave introduced the resolution to formally address the stigma around the issue, something that has also affected him.
“Because I’m a counselor, I can bring this to the forefront, like I’ve done with threat awareness,” Nave said. “That resolution, that day when I spoke, I felt comfortable and safe that I could say, ‘I am both a man with Tourette syndrome and a man who is gay,’ and I thought that was important right there to say and that suicide awareness is real.”
Nave emphasized higher suicide rates in both the LGBTQ+ community and people with chronic disorders in his introduction of the resolution, citing research from The Trevor Project and Science Daily.
“We need more empathy, compassion and less judgment,” Nave said. “And I think it starts in our schools, our homes and in our churches, especially our churches.”
Finding a sense of belonging took a long time for Nave, which fuels his passion for helping others, especially the younger generation, which Nave said is often emotionally disregarded because of societal pressures imposed on them.
While there are efforts for suicide prevention around Syracuse, such as the first Syracuse Police Department and Syracuse Run Club Suicide Prevention Awareness 5K Run and Walk, Nave expressed frustration with the lack of local media attention the issue receives, and the idea that people only want information after tragedy.
Isabella Petitto, a volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, worked closely with Nave to develop the resolution.
“When your leaders are representing that and opening those conversations, it makes it a lot easier for other people who look up to your elected officials to have those conversations and mental health,” Petitto said.
As a way to bring the Syracuse community together, Petitto is on the planning committee for the Out of the Darkness Walks. Set to take place on Oct. 10 at Long Branch Park, the walk will raise funds for suicide prevention research and support.
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Participants have the option of wearing “honor beads,” each representing their connection to the cause. Blue stands for “supporting the cause,” green for “personal attempt or struggle” and teal for supporting the attempt or struggle of another. There’s also a rainbow option in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and mental health awareness efforts are also present at Syracuse University. SU’s Student Government Association introduced a public health office this year and plans to increase programming for Mental Health Awareness Month in May and for the rest of the year.
“With any college-aged student group, suicide is an extremely prevalent topic,” SGA Vice President Max Lachut said. “It’s something that’s super important for everybody to really get involved in because you don’t know what somebody’s going through behind closed doors.”
For SU freshman Dane Brubaker, his personal experiences surrounding mental health, including people in his life affected by suicide and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, inspired his partnership with the New York State Department of Health. For the collaboration, Brubaker made an ad on Instagram Reels, tagging the department.
In the ad, Brubaker walked around campus and spoke about the stressors and loneliness students can feel. Brubaker’s video, captioned with #MentalHealthAwareness and #YouMatter, said “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, your school has the resources.”
“Being someone who’s open about that and like willing to share their struggles, so people know that they’re not alone,” Brubaker said. “I think that’s really important because if people feel like they’re alone, they’re more likely to struggle with mental health.”
Nave’s resolution will continue to stay in place for years to come, following its national recognition in Syracuse.
Those in need of mental health resources on campus can reach out to the Barnes Center at The Arch and Syracuse University Ambulance, as well as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
