Christina Park Bench Intended To Raise Awareness About Mental Illness

POLK COUNTY, FL — The holiday season is here, but not everyone feels celebratory.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In Florida, 31.6 percent of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder.

Lana Swartzwelder, CEO of the Libertore Fund for Children Inc., wants to help people talk.

“It’s important in this season of joy to give people an opportunity to have conversations about their mental health,” Swartzwelder said. “It’s critical that people don’t suffer from depression in silence.”

With that in mind, The Libertore Fund for Children has purchased a suicide prevention awareness bench from Josh's Benches for Awareness.

The Libertore Fund for Children donated the bright yellow bench to Christina Park in Lakeland, where it now sits as a reminder that help is available. The bench has an inscription that reads: “If You’re in Crisis and Want to Talk, Call 988.” 988 is the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

“The Libertore Fund for Children’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children, eliminating barriers to their success so they can realize a brighter future,” Swartzwelder said.

“Mental illness is a barrier that has a stigma attached, preventing children, teens and adults from getting help. They are embarrassed to talk about mental illness issues they may be experiencing or seeing in others. With the right diagnosis and treatment, mental health struggles can be addressed and healing can take place," she said.

“This suicide prevention awareness bench is a beautiful addition to Christina Park,” said Tracy Mullins, a senior planner for Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources Division. “It will help people to understand that they are not alone, that there’s help available when you’re suffering from depression and anxiety.”

Josh’s Benches for Awareness is a nonprofit whose mission is to educate youth and young adults about suicide prevention and awareness, and to provide resources. The Libertore Fund for Children paid more than $1,500 for the Christina Park bench, and the organization has also placed a bench at the Dream Center of Lakeland. It is working on placing one more bench.

“These benches are a way to raise awareness on mental health issues and promote suitable resources to remove the negative stigma surrounding the receiving of help,” Swartzwelder said.