It's a difficult time for 22 families in Butler County and so many more.

On Wednesday, the Butler County Suicide Prevention Coalition conducted its seventh annual remembrance rally.

A pair of shoes for each of the 22 deaths by suicide in 2018 was placed around the fountain in Diamond Park.

“It rained and it stormed, and then a beautiful rainbow came out above the shoes,” said Jenna Rhodaberger, a seven-year member of the coalition.

Rhodaberger said 22 suicides were a drop from 28 last year, but for surviving family members, even one is one too many.

Megan Klingensmith is Region 3 leader for Mission 22, an organization bringing awareness to suicides by veterans.

Klingensmith said her brother-in-law died by suicide.

“We were given no instructions on what to look for in his mental health,” she said.

Klingensmith said Mission 22 partnered with the county's suicide prevention coalition to help raise awareness about the continually rising rate of veteran suicides.

According to the organization's website, about 22 veterans die by suicide every day. That's about 660 every month. For that reason, the two local organizations coordinated efforts and placed 660 flags around the courthouse lawn.

Klingensmith said the flags will remain there through the weekend.

Pete Albert, a suicide prevention coordinator for Butler VA Health Care System, also attended Wednesday's remembrance, adding that he coordinates frequently with both organizations for outreach programs.

“We have to go out and work hard to prevent suicide, but we can't do it alone,” he said.

Albert said on Oct. 1, the Butler VA will show “Ripple Effect” — a movie about attempted suicide survivor Kevin Heinz, who tried to kill himself by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.

Albert said he hopes the man's story will have an impact on veterans who feel like they don't have options.

“For veterans or others who are going through a difficult time, there is hope,” Albert said. “Recovery is possible. Treatment works.”

“Suicide is preventable, and we're trying to work toward that,” he said.

Rhodaberger said suicide is difficult for the person's survivors to talk about.

“As much as we're still making progress in mental health awareness, suicide is still a taboo topic,” she said. “We want to just keep reducing that stigma.”

Rhodaberger said the coalition's next event is Nov. 30, where they will host International Survivors of Suicide Day.

“There's a focus of supporting each other at the holidays at this event and drawing peer support from one another,” Rhodaberger said.

Rhodaberger said people can get involved or seek help from the coalition by emailing youmatterbutler@gmail.com or visiting the group's self-named Facebook page. Albert said the Veterans Crisis Line is a valuable tool. Anyone can call 1-800-273-8255, email VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255.