If you are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of support, know that you are not alone. Long Island Crisis Center’s highly-trained counselors are standing by, ready to listen — any problem, any time, anyone.
Here are three ways to connect with a counselor now:
24/7 Hotlines
A caring voice, a helping hand. Long Island Crisis Center’s telephone counselors are highly trained and always ready to assist, any time of day or night.
Middle Earth Hotline was Long Island Crisis Center’s first hotline. Like all our hotlines, this service is free, confidential, and open 24/7. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention counseling are available; counselors also provide information and referrals.
Middle Earth Hotline’s Information and Referrals System contains more than 700 referrals that have been individually researched and personally visited by our referrals coordinator.
Depression, loneliness, grief, and other personal crises can be overwhelming, but there is help! The Senior Connection Helpline — in partnership with the Town of Hempstead — is a 24/7 helpline that will assist Senior Citizens age 60+ through short-term counseling, support, and resources. Outreach and follow up calls are available.
With the second highest missing child rate in New York, Long Island needs services that address the issues of runaway and street-involved youth.
The 24/7 Runaway Hotline provides crisis intervention counseling and emergency housing assistance for runaway, homeless, “throwaway” and maltreated youth.
Runaway youth come from all racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Many come from unhealthy home environments. Others feel alienated from their families and find it difficult to talk about important issues. Reaching out and breaking the silence is the first step toward finding a safe alternative.
Long Island Crisis Center, in partnership with the AMT Children of Hope Foundation, responds 24/7 to calls from pregnant women and those who have just given birth who wish to give up their newborns under the Safe Haven law (New York State, July, 2000). Counselors provide free, anonymous and confidential counseling, information and referrals.
In partnership with the Town of Huntington Youth Bureau, Long Island Crisis Center counselors provide free, confidential crisis intervention counseling 24/7 for Huntington Township residents. This hotline also answers evening and weekend calls for Huntington Sanctuary, a counseling agency for runaway youth.
Certified by the American Association of Suicidology, Long Island Crisis Center answers the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) 24/7 for Long Island residents.
Callers dialing 988 from a 516 area code are connected to LICC’s trained crisis counselors who offer compassionate support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress—including thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Callers can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
In partnership with the Long Island Railroad, LICC provides suicide prevention services on a dedicated telephone hotline advertised at LIRR train stations and platforms for callers who are in emotional distress or feeling suicidal. Callers connect with trained counselors who can provide immediate assistance and referral to support services or emergency intervention.
Nassau County Behavioral Health Helpline: (516) 227-TALK (8255)
516-227-TALK is a collaborative venture between the Nassau County Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services and Long Island Crisis Center. It serves residents who struggle with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, providing short-term crisis intervention counseling and support. This Helpline also serves as the intake department for the county’s Mobile Crisis Unit.
All calls are confidential and are answered weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by County behavioral health professionals. Long Island Crisis Center’s highly-trained crisis intervention counselors answer the Helpline after 5PM and on weekends and holidays. The helpline will guarantee that clients struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues can get support and direction when they decide they are ready – any time – day or night.
Online and Mobile Chat Counseling
Speak to a counselor from any computer, tablet or smart phone! Free live online and mobile counseling is available 7 days a week from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. This service is for Long Island residents only. Click the chat bubble to begin.