Update - September 19, 2014 - There has been a slight location change. The walk will take place at the Long Beach Boardwalk at the field between Riverside Blvd. & Long Beach Rd.
September 5, 2014 - Bellmore, NY - Long Island Crisis Center (LICC) will hold its 6th Annual “Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk… Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide” event on Sunday, September 21st on the Boardwalk at Riverside Blvd. in Long Beach. The Walk will be a culminating event on Long Island recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month.
The Crisis Center, now in its 43rd year, is dedicated to increasing suicide awareness, educating everyone about the warning signs of suicide, and de-stigmatizing the subject of suicide and spreading the word that “it’s okay to ask for help.”
“With the recent suicide of Robin Williams, our hotline calls were up 100% for a couple of days,” states Linda Leonard, Executive Director of the Crisis Center. "This tragedy seems to have created a greater awareness of suicide and the need to reach out for help – both by those exhibiting suicide ideation and those noticing the “signs” in relatives or friends. As one caller said, ‘I’m very depressed, I feel alone and I’ve lost my job. I’m calling because I don’t want to go down the same road as Robin Williams.’ Our Walk is an opportunity to continue to raise the public consciousness.”
- Suicide and suicide prevention affects everyone:
- Suicide now ranks in the top ten leading causes of death in the United States
- Every 15 minutes, someone dies by suicide
- A veteran dies by suicide at the rate of almost one per hour
- For every person who commits suicide, there are thirteen others who attempt suicide
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 13 – 24
- LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender) youth are at a four time higher rate for suicide and suicide attempts
- Self-injurious behavior among youth can be a precursor to suicide ideation
- 39% of teens who are on social media networks are or have been cyber bullied
- Elderly suicide rates are 50% higher than for young people
- The fast growing segment for suicide is baby boomers
- 8 out of 10 people who die by suicide tell someone first
On-site registration for the Walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Online registration is taking place right now at here or call 516-826-0244 for more information. A minimum donation of $25 per person is suggested.
Long Island Crisis Center is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) agency that operates its staffed hotlines 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. Counseling is also available through: an online chat at licconline.org; texting “LICC” to 839863; and walk-in services (9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) at 2740 Martin Ave., Bellmore, N.Y. All services are free, anonymous and confidential.