Mental health calls to 911 increase during Winter - 1011now

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The holidays are a happy time for many but for some, they can be challenging.

Lincoln Police say every Winter they see an increase in mental health related calls and this year has been no different.

When Winter rolls around, the 911 Dispatch Center lets their employees know- a tough time is coming.

Every year around the holidays LPD sees a large increase in the number of mental health calls, specifically from those who are suicidal.

"The people that work here we let them know what to expect. That this is common for these types of calls to increase this time of year, and really just to keep in check of your own emotions and dealing with that in the healthiest way possible,” said 911 Dispatcher, Brandi Villamonte.

Villamonte says from her experience, the increase has to do with cold weather, people staying in and stressing about the holidays.

"I think really one of the biggest influences of these types of calls are certainly these family gatherings that can be difficult for people,” said Villamonte.

10/11 NOW spoke with a Resident Physician at Lincoln Family Medicine, he says every Winter they see an increase in Seasonal Affective Disorder- or depression that occurs at the same time each year.

Some experts believe this is connected to Vitamin D and a deficiency in the Winter.

"The sunlight just isn't strong enough in Nebraska especially in the winter, to convert that over to its active form,” said Resident Physician, Mark Henderson.

But there are some treatments that doctors recommend.
"Sunlight therapy is a common treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, getting a light lamp, we have medications as well and therapy as well that can be helpful for that,” said Henderson.

Henderson said the cold months are challenging for many people and 911 dispatchers say this includes those picking up the phone in a time of need.

"We just encourage our employees that work here to reach out and talk to somebody if this time of year starts to get tough on people taking calls like that all of the time,” said Villamonte.

911 dispatchers encourage people to reach out, adding they understand people can feel this way around the holidays and they will get you the help and resources you need.

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