The Long Beach Boardwalk is a destiny for many organizations to highlight their support for a particular cause, and this was true of the hundreds who had gathered there on Sept. 18.

That day, walkers of all ages trekked the boardwalk to show their support for the Long Island Crisis Center and its mission to raise suicide awareness and prevention.

Along the way, the third annual “Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk…Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide” event raised more than $40,000, with net proceeds going to the Crisis Center’s Community Education Program. 

“Our goal is to spread the word that we all need to be aware of the warning signs of suicide among our family, friends and colleagues, and that none of us can be bystanders when we see that someone we know is in crisis,” said LICC Executive Director Linda Leonard.

The education program provides on-site workshops in Long Island schools for both students and professional staff, taking on the topics of suicide awareness, adolescent depression, self-injury, cyber bullying and others. 

“While we know that these are not easy subjects to discuss,” Leonard said. “We know that open communication and early education can make a difference.  And, in light of the recent headlines about adolescent/young adult suicide, we believe that we are at a critical juncture in raising everyone’s consciousness about suicide and the motivating crises in people’s lives that might bring them to make that choice.”

Major sponsors of the event included Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford (R-Long Beach), Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), Karma411, GEICO, and Pop’s Wines & Spirits in Island Park.