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. Our mission is to provide callers in crisis or in need of support with unconditional acceptance, compassion, and respect in order to lower anxiety and facilitate the coping skills they already have. We want to help callers capitalize on their strengths in the prevention of self-destructive behaviors or suicide. We are here to provide referrals and information about community programs and resources. And lastly, we strive to heighten public awareness of suicide prevention through community education, outreach and training. The Agency’s Roots It was clear that a crisis hotline with local referral information was needed, and it must be available day and night. 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 must be available 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.