I was talking to the folks who run "Suicide Prevention Services" here in Chicagoland. It's basically a Hotline to call if you're on the edge (your area code plus 482-9696). I wanted to know whether they were getting more calls since we saw the markets tank last week, Lehman Bros. went belly-up and now the Bush administration and Congress are working on that 700 Billion dollar bailout (which though it'll help the banks, may not necessarily help you keep your house).

Anyway, even -before- the shxx hit the fan last week, the Batavia-based Hotline was getting more calls. Those working there told me their call volume is up at least 35-percent over the same period last year. And yes, a lot of calls are over financial woes. Supposedly folks just want to talk at this point and no one's indicating they want to throw themselves off of a tall building (like in the Great Depression). But could that be next? I hope not.

PS The Hotline folks say they're so busy, that they really need MORE VOLUNTEERS to man the phone lines.