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DECEMbEr 25 - 31, 2025
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VOl. 28 NO. 52
HERALD PERSON OF THE YEAR Stacy Brief
Leading the charge in tackling mental health By Joseph D’Alessandro
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Bellmore’s Stacy Brief is on the front line of an existential battle: the internal argument, in particularly troubled minds, over whether or not to continue living. A licensed social worker and therapist, she works with those struggling with mental health challenges in community-driven suicide-prevention programs for young people across Long Island. In recognition of her efforts to combat loneliness, alienation and depression in the youth of her community and beyond, the Herald is proud to name Brief its 2025 Person of the Year. “It is a labor of pure love,” she said of her work. “Love for building a community for folks, and love for connecting with people and making sure that everyone knows how he’s valuable their life is.” Brief, 27, spends her free time very, very contributing to and designing menpassionate. That tal health programs, and has been an energy that she active volunteer for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicides. Her had radiated involvement with SPTS began when she was 17, as a Mepham High School onto me. student panelist who led conversations ZyNab MuNir about mental health with her peers at Nursing student the organization’s events. At age 20, Brief approached the society and asked to host a summit to address the need for mental health counseling in her community. That brought SPTS events to Bellmore and Merrick schools, including a Youth Wellness Summit, now held annually at the Brookside School in North Merrick. SPTS also held monthly meetings, often led by Brief, that brought together students from some 40 high schools from across Long Island for discussions about mental health. The meetings were designed to help those who were struggling connect with a support system, she said. In 2022, 1.6 million people attempted suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among the methods the CDC encourages to reduce that number are forums for mental health care and community support. The impact on students has been dramatic. According to Brief, three students she worked with have founded clubs that focus on the well-being of their peers. To every person struggling with their mental health, Brief has a message: “Pain doesn’t have to last forever, and you are worthy and deserving of love and care.” An increasing awareness of mental health comes at a time
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when programs around the country face an existential threat of their own: a lack of funding. With the 2025 federal budget came a financial drought for mental health services, one that communities are scrambling to fill, according to the Mental Health Association in New York State. It hit Long Island hard: SPTS, which is headquartered in New Jersey, ended its work on the Island in August. “SPTS, as an organization, was significantly impacted financially by all of these shifts and funding cuts, and had to significantly scale back their programming,” Brief said. “We were informed they would no longer be able to support Long Island programming. Moving forward, myself and a colleague and my family are working on creating a new foundation to be the vehicle to carry our own programs forward.” Brief ’s own internal struggles have informed her strategy and guide her vision. No one is better equipped, she believes, to answer a call for help than someone who has been in the same position. “As a suicide attempt survivor (who) developed into a mental health professional, this is my sense of purpose,” she explained. “Our human instinct is to connect with others, to be in community.” Throughout her life, Brief has experienced highs and lows Continued on page 2 Tim Baker/Herald
Stacy Brief has struggled with her own mental health over the years, which helps others who contemplate suicide identify with her.