Center Logs 233 Percentage Increase in Calls After Airing

(Los Angeles, CA, October 29, 2008) - On Wednesday, October 15, after the DR. PHIL episode entitled "The Bridge Controversy - A Tragic Choice" was broadcast, an unprecedented number of people who were contemplating ending their lives took the first step in dealing with their despondency by making a call to a national suicide prevention hotline.

In the episode, Dr. Phil hosted an honest and open discussion about the underlying reasons people contemplate suicide in the hope of saving lives. The show aired excerpts from the controversial film, THE BRIDGE, and invited the documentarian, Eric Steel, to talk about the responsibility of cameras rolling as people jumped to their deaths from a bridge that is not only a national landmark, but an infamous place to commit suicide.  Dr. Phil also heard from other victims of suicide - the family and friends left behind. In a particularly touching moment, he spoke with John and Erica, whose accomplished teenage daughter took her own life despite having an exceedingly bright future. 

"One of the things that I've wanted to do with this show over the years is to open up a dialogue about mental health.  Suicide is something we have to deal with in our society," said Dr. Phil.  "I am heartened that we were able to reach so many people out there who really need help." 

During the broadcast, the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) ran on the screen for almost the entire hour, and according to Dr. John Draper, director of the hotline, a record 3,583 calls were received that day, which is a 233 percent increase from a normal day.  Dr. Draper also noted that during the peak period between 3 pm and 8 pm ET, they answered a total of 1,920 calls, which was the longest sustained call volume surge in the hotline's history. 

Dr. Draper was particularly surprised to see that calls from female military veterans nearly doubled that day from 23 percent to 42 percent, as well as an increase in calls from  demographics - such as the elderly - that don't typically call the hotline. 

"Dr. Phil performed an extraordinary public service for viewers by addressing the sensitive issue of suicide, which is responsible for more deaths in our country than homicide and AIDS combined," said Dr. Draper.  "By alerting viewers to the warning signs and giving them the Lifeline number as a means for finding help, an unprecedented number of callers in emotional and suicidal crisis were connected to help and hope on the day of the broadcast."



About The DR. PHIL Show

Executive Producer Carla Pennington has been with DR. PHIL since its first season, as have Supervising Producers Angie Kraus Bell, Kandi Amelon-Sawyer, Kathy Giaconia, Lisa Steinke and Director Paul Casey.

The syndicated series, DR. PHIL, was created by Harpo Productions, produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution.  It is broadcast on over 214 stations representing 100% of the country.  Since its debut in September 2002, the series has been ranked second among all daytime talk shows and consistently ranks among the Top Ten of all syndicated strips (Source:  NSS Ranking Report).

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