Millennium pressures fuel hotline calls

Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999 | 11:41 a.m.

To call

The Las Vegas Suicide Prevention Center hotline number is 731-2990.

For an increasing number of people, preparing for Friday's change to 2000 is far more stressful than stocking up on a few gallons of water and bags of groceries.

Workers at the Suicide Prevention Center in Las Vegas have logged about a 20 percent increase in calls to the crisis hotline in the past couple of weeks, Executive Director Dorothy Bryant said Tuesday.

"A lot of it has been holiday stress with depression, but a lot of people have been down and out with no money or living on the street," Bryant said. "They don't have enough food or a place to go."

Hotline volunteers have been fielding about two dozen calls a day in the past week. That may not sound like a lot, but some calls can last two to three hours, Bryant said.

A couple of such calls in an evening can tax the service that typically has four volunteers answering phones, she said. As a result, Bryant plans to have at least eight volunteers answering calls Friday night with four more waiting in the wings in case they're needed.

The ending of 1999 has bombarded society with a seemingly endless string of century roundups, lists of accomplishments, extravagant party plans and a push to outdo.

People who already are depressed over finances, personal problems or the loss of a loved one can feel even more isolated.

When the holiday is over and problems haven't been wiped away by the hoopla and celebration, those contemplating suicide are most likely to hit bottom, said Paul Bressin, a physician with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Los Angeles.

"They've been through Christmas and Y2K New Year's -- the best we have to offer -- and it didn't do the job" of making them feel better, Bressin said. "There are feelings of worthlessness. 'It's the year 2000, and what have I done?' "

Suicide is a temporary reaction, although the urge can return again and again if the person is left untreated, Bressin added. Alcohol consumption during New Year's celebrations only aggravates the situation and may push someone to make a permanent decision based on those temporary feelings.

"Alcohol is probably the prime catalyst for impulsive behavior," he said. "It doesn't cause suicide. But it uncouples good judgment."

Bressin said about 75 percent of all people who take their own lives give some kind of warning signal. Talking about death -- even indirectly -- expressing a lack of hope, or saying that the family "would be better off without me" are all signs that a person is thinking of suicide, Bressin said.

Don't be afraid to ask a friend directly if he or she is thinking of suicide.

"You have to ask outright." Bressin said. "Never be afraid to say it. Ask them to talk about it. If somebody feels they can confide in you, then there's a line of communication."

Find out how much planning they've done, and get professional help immediately, he said. If the person becomes agitated or upset, call 911 or the police. If the person is calm enough to get into the car, drive to the nearest emergency room.

"Don't attempt to argue them out of it," Bressin said. "Let the person know you are there, and you understand. And don't leave the person alone."

Bryant says the Las Vegas hotline serves people all over the state. The only other suicide crisis line in Nevada is one in Reno. She figures her staff is in for a busy weekend.

"The stress is in addition to holiday part, and the family season emphasizes their isolation," she said. "You can tell people are more hyped up."