Butterfly release brings discussion about suicide awareness to peninsula

The Bragdon Scholarship will give those affected by suicide three months of free gym access at the Blue Hill YMCA

Sept. 14, 2026

By Maizy Weirich

A painted lady butterfly from the release. Butterflies are often a symbol of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Photo by Maizy Weirich.

BLUE HILL - The Blue Hill TYMCA is working to let people know “you are not alone” during September’s National Suicide Prevention Month, and is offering free passes to the fitness center for affected individuals and families.

Joy Bragdon, health and wellness director at the Blue Hill YMCA, organized a butterfly release on Sept. 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, for community members to come together and make a space for grief, discussion and remembrance to show that “you are not alone.”  

In the past, Bragdon had hosted the butterfly release on Blue Hill Mountain. This year, she decided to have the event right outside the YMCA so more people could attend.

“Today we had such a turnout… there's so many of us that are struggling. I feel for all of these people,” Bragdon said.

During the release, Bragdon spoke about her own experience of loss from suicide, and opened the floor for others to share their stories. Afterwards, she released over a dozen butterflies. Some flew to nearby bushes, trees, or returned to the sky. 

Acknowledging that suicide is a difficult subject, Bragdon said it is not easy to have an open conversation about the impact it has on people, especially here on the peninsula.

“It took me a couple years before I could even say ‘suicide,’” Bragdon said. 

Bragdon hopes the butterfly release can open a door for conversation about those who have lost someone to suicide, or for those struggling themselves. The phrase “You are not alone” was said by several people throughout the event.

“When my husband committed suicide, I was working at the YMCA. It took me months before I got here, but the support I had from the Y is what made me stick here,” Bragdon said. “If I didn’t have that and I didn’t have my members, I wouldn't have stayed around. It wouldn't have been good.” 

Because the community within the YMCA has supported Bragdon, she wants to help others find connection there and receive similar support.

With that in mind, she started the Bragdon Scholarship, which will give individuals affected by suicide three months of free gym access.

Joy Bragdon, center, releasing the butterflies. Video by Maizy Weirich.

“I want them to be able to come in here, and work out, and just have a social component inside this building,” Bragdon said.

Bragdon said there is no one right time for individuals to enter the Blue Hill YMCA and get support after a loss. But when they are ready, the YMCA will be ready for them too. 

“Sometimes you’re not working after that. Money is different because you’ve lost someone. So I don’t want that to be a burden; I want them to feel comfortable,” Bragdon said. “This is a home.”

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the Blue Hill YMCA is hosting other events to create a space for community and grief. The Y held a talk on suicide awareness for veterans on Sept. 13, and will host a barbecue on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 12 p.m. “so people are not alone,” Bragdon said. 

For donations to, or questions about, The Bragdon Scholarship, email Zachary Ames, the Blue Hill YMCA’s executive director, at zames@defymca.org

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the Maine Crisis Line is available at 1-888-568-1112. You also text or call 988 to connect to the 988 Lifeline, formerly known as the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 

See here for a printable PDF of additional helplines.