Bellmore, NY - September 20th, 2013 -  Long Island Crisis Center (LICC) will hold its 5^th Annual “Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk…Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide” event on Sunday, September 29^th on the Boardwalk at Riverside Blvd. in Long Beach. The Walk will be the culminating event on Long Island recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month.  

The Crisis Center, now in its 42nd 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.”

“Just this past May, the New York Times reported that suicide rates have risen sharply in the United States,” states Linda Leonard, Executive Director of the Crisis Center.  "This underscores the importance of the Crisis Center’s 24/7 hotlines for anyone to be able to access help at critical times in their lives. And, our September 29^th Walk is an opportunity for anyone who has been touched by suicide, either directly or indirectly, to talk openly about a subject that has, for too long, remained in the shadows.”

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
• 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 times 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
• One of every 5 suicides in the country is committed by a returning soldier from Iraq or Afghanistan- or once every hour 
• The fast growing segment for suicide is baby boomers.

8 out of 10 people who commit suicide tell someone first

On-site registration for the Walk begins at 11:00 a.m.  Online registration is taking place right now,  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 www.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.