Mission
Everyone has moments when the support and understanding of others seem hard to find, and it is for such moments that Response of Suffolk County, Inc. was born. Through our crisis intervention hotline, professionally trained and supervised counselors offer callers telephone support and help them to explore options for next steps that they might take for finding additional assistance or comfort. In providing this level of caring, our ultimate goal is to reduce the risk of impulsive behavior that could lead to self-injury, suicide, or harm to others.

Agency's Roots
In the early 1970s, following a college student's near suicide, members of the community came together and considered what options this student and others feeling alone might have for finding help. It was clear that a crisis hotline with local referral information was needed, and it needed to be open day and night. They gathered professional staff and volunteers, and created a training program for them. From these humble roots, the agency grew to serve all of Suffolk County and is now a nationally accredited program.

Who Calls Us
Callers phone us for many reasons, but most feel overwhelmed by a loss of some kind, such as the loss of a loved one, a job, one's health, or one's sense of hope. Sometimes they're worried about a family member's emotional or physical health and are seeking resources for them. Sometimes they're struggling with a recent change, such as a re-location, a new baby, a divorce, a frightening diagnosis, and are feeling alone.

In 2005, our hotline counselors responded to over 11,000 calls. More than 2,000 calls related to significant health problems. In nearly 1,000 calls, substance abuse was an ongoing struggle, and many people spoke of mixed feelings in seeking treatment. Over 700 calls related to suicide, and nearly 200 were about the suicidal thoughts of a loved one or colleague. This is in addition to the hundreds of calls about domestic violence, relationship issues, and the need for concrete services such as food stamps and emergency housing.

Our Philosophy
The Chinese word for "crisis" includes characters that represent danger and opportunity. While crisis causes stress, it also invites growth. So often strengths are newly discovered during difficult times, and we believe that each person carries many of his or her own answers.

How We Help
First, we listen, and we listen in a special way. We're all familiar with the suggestions that well-intentioned friends and family so often give. While advice is sometimes what people seek during difficult times, more often it is the complete attention, acceptance, and empathy of one who cares that is truly called for.

On the hotline, our counselors give callers the time they need and listen not only for the facts, but, even more importantly, for the feelings - the music behind the words. This acceptance is empowering and helps callers to hear their own wisdom. We also help callers explore their options and, when requested, provide referrals.

Warning Signs for Suicide
If you are reading this page out of concern for someone, you've probably observed some of these warning signs:

• an expression of hopelessness or of feeling trapped,
• increased alcohol or drug use,
• withdrawal from friends, family and others,
• dramatic mood changes, sudden rage, or impulsivity,
• a preoccupation with death,
• intense anxiety or agitation, particular if it is unusually severe,
• difficulty sleeping or sleeping constantly,
• sudden giving away of important possessions,
• hints about wanting to sleep forever or other remarks suggestive of suicide,
• purchase of firearms

People who are thinking of ending their lives often give hints of their emotional pain.
Sometimes, however, they work hard to hide their struggles from loved ones. Either way,
they are generally trying desperately to escape feelings that seem to them unbearable,
outside their control and, perhaps most importantly, feel likely to last forever. The
perception that the intensity of painful feelings will last forever is especially common among
teens and young adults.

People are often afraid to discuss their concerns with a loved one for fear that mentioning
the word "suicide" will cause it to happen This is not the case, but it can be difficult for
anyone - even a mental health professional - to raise the subject with a loved one. For
guidance on how to have such a discussion, please see How to help a loved one.

How common is suicide?
Approximately 32,000 Americans are known to end their lives every year. This is certainly an underestimate as many car "accidents" and drug overdoses are intentional but not reported as such. In 2003, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States but the third cause of death among people ages 15-24.

For more information on suicide statistics and warning signs, visit websites for the
American Association of Suicidolgy (www.suicidology.org), the American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org), and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
(www.sprc.org).

Links to other helpful resources

Links to Current Flyers & Events
Click here to download the latest Hear2Help Flyer.
Click here to download our Winter Blues Flyer.
Click here to watch our Response Video Intro.
Click here to download a flyer on our new Spanish crisis line, Conexión!