The Putnam County Suicide Prevention Task Force is a coalition composed of dedicated volunteers working to combat suicide in the community.  Members represent a diverse group of professionals including those from mental health and chemical dependency organizations, county departments (such as health, mental health, the Veterans Service Agency, and the Youth Bureau), schools, law enforcement, the coroner's office, clergy, and individuals personally affected by suicide.  Together, they strive to foster collaboration and implement meaningful change.

The task force meets quarterly.  Please email Marla Behler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "SPTF member sign up" in the subject line to join our e-distro list or for the date/time of our next meeting.  Everyone is welcome!

The Nicole Ettere Memorial Gardens Foundation, Inc. (NEMGF) is dedicated to supporting suicide survivors, those who are left behind struggling to deal and cope with these heartbreaking tragedies of suicide.  It is the Foundation’s goal to create memorial Gardens of Remembrance so that survivors may have a place to go to remember their loved ones who have ended their lives by suicide.  These gardens will be a place to reflect and keep the memory of their loved ones alive.  It is also the Foundation’s goal to increase suicide awareness among the general public to bring about change, help reduce the stigma, and break the silence associated with suicide. 

The Garden of Remembrance is located at 110 Old Route Six, Carmel, NY.  It was created after Roy and Lucille Ettere lost their daughter, Nicole, by suicide.  They wanted to support other suicide loss survivors by giving them a place to honor their loved ones.  This Garden was dedicated in 2021.  A second garden is planned this year on the Putnam Trailway behind Cove Care.

Contact and email:  Roy Ettere, 914-469-7307, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Putnam County residents, the family may request their loved one to be included on the bronze plaque (we usually place a "click here to add your loved one's name"  button on our emails and embed this form for their use: CLICK HERE

Here is the link for survivors to include a memorial tribute of their loved one on the website: CLICK HERE

Join Us Today! 

The Community Walks, held in hundreds of cities across the country, are the core of the Out of the Darkness movement, which began in 2004. These events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause, and a platform to create a culture that’s smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to be there for one another and take steps to safeguard our mental health and prevent suicide.

Register today and be part of the movement to walk #OutOftheDarkness.

Find an event

The Putnam Out of the Darkness Walk is scheduled for Sunday, September 28th

Putnam County recently received a grant from the NYS Office of Mental Health, in partnership with the Suicide Prevention Center of New York to develop a LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide).  Losing someone to suicide is a deeply personal and challenging experience.  Statistics show that those impacted by a loss to suicide are at greater risk for suicide themselves and many may not reach out for help for years. Our goal is to change that!

Stigma around suicide often makes people afraid to say or do the wrong thing so often times, they do nothing at all. LOSS Teams connect survivors of suicide loss with trained peer supporters—people who have experienced a similar loss and truly understand the journey. These teams provide comfort, understanding, and resources at one of the most difficult times in someone’s life.

LOSS Teams were developed to have ‘peers’, other survivors of suicide, trained to provide support which is recognized nationally as a best practice.  While others can be sympathetic, only those impacted by suicide loss themselves can truly know what that experience feels like.

In an effort to develop our LOSS team in Putnam, we are seeking survivors of suicide to provide emotional support and resources to those impacted by that suicide.  All Putnam LOSS team volunteers will receive training through the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), through their Healing Conversations Program.  Putnam County has faced the heartbreaking reality of suicide.  On average, we lose approximately 14 lives each year.

To apply to be a Westchester/Hudson Valley AFSP Volunteer who would serve in Putnam County, please click on this link to apply:

https://afsp.wufoo.com/forms/s1fu59op1tule8n/

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in another capacity, please contact us:

Marla Behler, LOSS Team Coordinator and Suicide Prevention Task Force Co-Chair

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

845-808-1400, ext. 11140

Megan Castellano, LOSS Team Coordinator and Suicide Prevention Task Force Co-Chair

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

845-519-3522

PUTNAM PALS: Our Volunteer Outreach Program (PUTNAM PALS) is designed to bring joy, companionship, and meaningful connections to the lives of older adults. Each older adult is carefully paired with a compassionate, trustworthy, and fully screened volunteer to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Once matched, they can engage in enriching conversations, play games, watch TV shows together, and more. This program fosters social connections, combats loneliness, and enhances the well-being of older adults, making a profound impact on their lives.

Click here to learn more about the program, how to volunteer as a companion, or how to participate as an older adult. (LINK COMING SOON)

The Compassion Rock Gardens initiative is a community-driven effort in Putnam County to spread kindness, resilience, and support through painted rocks with inspirational messages. Plans are underway to establish the first garden in Spring 2025, serving as a place of solace and connection. We hope to expand to additional locations throughout the county. Community members can get involved by painting and placing rocks, hosting or attending rock painting events, or simply visiting the gardens for encouragement. Stay tuned for information on our ribbon-cutting event, where we will proudly present the first location! Join us in creating a more compassionate and uplifting environment. Click here to learn more and get involved. (LINK COMING SOON)