Bellmore, NY - October 26, 2016 - Since 1971, Long Island Crisis Center has been providing lifesaving services to the Long Island community through its 24/7 crisis and suicide hotlines, Pride for Youth LGBTQ services, and Building Healthy Lives Through Education school program.  

Celebrating its 45 years of service to the Long Island community, the Crisis Center is launching an important new campaign called #BetterCanHappen to help people understand that they can be an important part of a movement to improve the day-to-day lives of all members of our community.

“#BetterCanHappen is an exciting new campaign to raise awareness that the services and programs of the Crisis Center are available to everyone, at no cost, and to have them join us as lifesaving partners,” explains Associate Executive Director, Theresa Buhse.  “The campaign highlights simple steps that individuals can take to make Long Island a friendlier, healthier and happier place to live and work.  We believe this can be achieved through greater community education, increased efforts to de-stigmatize the subject of mental health, and expanded opportunities to give back in meaningful ways.”

According to its website, bettercanhappen.org, the campaign is organized into five key efforts: Know Better (educating the public about suicide prevention), Feel Better (encouraging individuals to seek out support during times of stress and crisis), Say It Better (an effort to de-stigmatize mental health issues), Do Better (a call-to-action encouraging Long Islanders to explore volunteer opportunities), and Give Better (emphasizing the importance of giving locally and meaningfully).

“LICC has always been a proud part of the Long Island Community – a place where people strive to be better, do better, and care better for those around us,” explains Executive Director, Linda Leonard.  “It is with this ‘Long Island Spirit’ that we are challenging individuals to learn about and take part in #BetterCanHappen!”

To learn more about #BetterCanHappen, please visit bettercanhappen.org.  LICC is also encouraging individuals to post on social media using the hashtag #BetterCanHappen.