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LET'S WALK, LET'S TALK...STEPPING TOGETHER TO PREVENT SUICIDE

LONG ISLAND CRISIS
CENTER TO HOLD 
                           
5TH ANNUAL
“LET’S WALK, LET’S TALK
STEPPING TOGETHER TO
PREVENT SUICIDE”
                    
ON SEPTEMBER 29TH



Long Island Crisis Center
(LICC) will hold its 5th Annual “Let’s
Walk, Let’s Talk…Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide
” event on Sunday,
September 29th 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 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.”

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“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 29th 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:

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  • 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, transgender) 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 boomer-age males
  • 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 at http://liccwalk2013.karma411.com 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.
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