В штате Айдахо открыли памятный скамейку для предотвращения суицидов

Click here for updates on this story BUHL, Idaho (KMVT) -- After a local teenager passed away due to suicide, a memorial bench was installed this week in Buhl City Park. River Silas Martinez-Howard passed away from suicide in 2023. Brent Howard, his father, said he and his wife didn’t see it coming. Thankfully, the Jae Foundation reached out to them and helped them heal. It was during this time, Howard said he wanted to find a way to honor his son’s memory. “I saw a article online about some friendship benches in Rexburg at an elementary school actually. And I thought maybe we could create a bench as a safe place for people who are struggling,” Howard said. Howard said he started researching for someone to do the job. one company said they could do it for more than $11,000, but Classic Stoneworks, offered to do it for much less. “They reached out and said they’d like to help with the bench. They asked me to buy the stone for $3,000, they would build it for free,” Howard said. The acts of kindness didn’t stop there. A business offered to pour the concrete, while another made the graphics for the bench, both free of charge. “None of these people would let me pay for it. They kinda donated to make it happen and the community thought it was a great idea,” Howard said. Even the Mayor of Buhl was enthusiastic about the bench and decided to put it in the city park with the flag covering the bench donated by Threads of Honor. On July 1st, the bench was dedicated and unveiled to the public. “It was heartwarming, it was amazing. I’m really thankful for everybody who made it happen,” Howard said. Howard explained the bench acts as a memorial for River, as well as a place for people who are struggling internally to sit. The goal is for another person to notice, and walk over and engage with them. “One person sits down and asks are you ok? And leads them in a direction away from suicide. Away from self-harm, then the bench is worth it,” Howard said. Howard added this bench is a reflection of what his son was like to others around him. “He was the kid who helped everybody. He sat with the kids who sat alone at lunch and made them feel comfortable. I’ve had so many of his friends reach out and tell me about how they were struggling and he helped them find purpose and meaning,” Howard said. Howard hopes hundreds of people use this bench and see it as an outlet to seek help. Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. THE-CNN-WIRE (TM) & © 2026 CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., A TIME WARNER COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.