Op-Ed: Hope Rocks—A Community United

[Olivia Edwards is a senior at New Canaan High School. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month]

Suicide is a growing public health crisis. Each year, nearly 49,000 people in the United States die by suicide—a figure that is difficult to comprehend. For a long time, it has been discussed, quietly, with many people too scared to speak out, hidden away, or met with silence that lingers. That silence doesn’t help anyone; in fact, it can make things even lonelier for those who are struggling.

Some progress has been made. New Canaan Public Schools now lists the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on the back of student IDs. This number is a vital resource, offering round-the-clock access to trained counselors who can support people facing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, or other mental health crises, as well as connect them with further help if needed.

But realistically, having a phone number by itself doesn’t always make you feel supported.

That is what “Hope Rocks: A Community United” is about.

My name is Olivia Edwards, a senior at New Canaan High School. I’ve been working with Devon Suozzi from the MindWell Center to organize “Hope Rocks: A Community United” at the New Canaan Library on Friday, September 18th, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Between running around town with an armful of flyers, brainstorming snack ideas, and sorting through piles of rocks that left my hands chalky and dusty, I’ve been right there. I’ve scrubbed rocks clean, helped organize markers and tablecloths, tracked where each batch of rocks should go, and will be helping set everything up on the day of the event. I’ve also been coordinating with our community partners, including the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, New Canaan Library, New Canaan Moms, and New Canaan CARES. Walter Stewart’s is also supporting us with food, which is always a lifesaver and definitely a fan favorite.

When it comes down to it, the purpose of Hope Rocks is straightforward and genuine.

We paint rocks—hundreds of them. Paint gets under our fingernails and laughter fills the green as we swirl colors and write positive messages, always wondering who might pick one up later. In order to create a community and spread awareness. 

Every rock gets a message—something hopeful, encouraging, or simply kind. Once they’re dry, we leave them around New Canaan, hoping someone will find and enjoy them.

It might seem like such a small thing. After all, it’s just a rock, right?

But you never know who will find them.

The rocks will be placed throughout stores and around New Canaan, along the Trails of Hope in the Land Trust we are creating, and at New Canaan schools. Who knows who will see them? Maybe it will be someone walking through town, a student at school, or someone taking a walk on one of the trails. 

We don’t know.

And that is the point.

We don’t always know what the people around us are going through. We see people at school, at practice, walking around town, or getting ice cream with their friends, but we don’t know what is happening in their lives when we aren’t looking.

That is why community matters so much.

We can’t prevent every suicide with a rock. We can’t fix mental health with one event. But we can make sure people know that they are not completely alone.

Community grows out of countless small moments. It’s a friend checking in, or just sitting beside you in silence when words aren’t needed. It’s a teacher seeing you’re not yourself, or a parent sending a kind text or a hug. And sometimes, it’s a painted rock on the sidewalk, catching the light and reminding you not to give up.

Hope Rocks creates those little reminders all over our town.

We need more of them.

Talking about mental health needs to be normalized. Asking for help should be normal too. People need to know about resources like 988, but they also need to feel that those around them genuinely care.

That is what I hope Hope Rocks can show.

On September 18th, I hope people will come to the New Canaan Library, paint a rock, write something positive, bring a friend, and be part of something bigger than themselves.

Because you never know who will find the rock you painted.

And you never know how much that little message might mean to someone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.