Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/621780
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»My neighbor, who is other- wise clean and healthy, imagines being spied upon, imagines break-ins and is generally paranoid. My neighbor is clearly disturbed by these thoughts and I worry this person might go "over the edge." I don't know any of my neighbor's friends or family, if there are any. What can I do? —ConcernedNeighbor DEAR CONCERNED » I shared your question with Dr. Ken Duckworth, medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. He and I agree that, depending on the severity of this situation, you could start by simply asking your neighbor, "Do you have a friend or family member I can call for you?" You can also call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at: 800-950-NAMI (6264) (NAMI.org). Trained volunteers answer calls such as yours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday. You don't provide details, but also keep in mind that some of the behavior you notice could also be signs of dementia. If you feel this person's actions rise to the alarming stage and pose a risk to him/ herself or others, call 911 and be very specific with the dispatcher that this is a mental health call. Report exactly what you see. Some police departments have crisis intervention teams. Ask if there is a CIT officer available. Then repeat all of this to the responding officers, for instance: "This is a mental health call. I don 't th ink sh e is danger - ous, but she is delusional and I think she might need to be transported to a hospital." (Officers may not have received all the information you conveyed to the dispatcher.) Mental illness 911 calls pose a risk, both to the person suffering and to responding officers, so conveying and repeating correct information is vital. DEAR AMY » You pub- lished a letter from "Observer," who noticed a dynamic in their group of married couples, where one of the women, "Su- san" was monopolizing the tim e of a ma n (no t her husband), "Greg." I was in Susan's shoes, and yes, it should be a huge red flag to Greg's wife. I was in a group of friends when I fell in love with one of the husbands. Needless to say, it turned out badly for everyone — it broke up the group, as well as my marriage. What I didn't realize at the time was that my attraction to "Greg" was only a symptom of the problems in my own mar- riage. Had I faced them and urged us both to get counseling, I might still be married to that good man today. — Sadder but Wiser DEAR SADDER » You have described this common dynamic perfectly. I ap- preciate your candor and am so sorry for how this turned out for all of you. Neighbor needs access to mental health resources You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Capricorn(Dec.22-Jan. 19) — Pick and choose what's doable and make a realistic plan. Don't make fantastic promises or set impossible goals. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Think about what you have accomplished and what you have yet to achieve. Favorable changes can be initiated. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Look for a way to improve what you have to offer, and reconnect with people you have worked with in the past who may be able to help you get ahead now. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Take some time to go over your personal books and assess your financial situation. A couple of adjustments will lead to savings that will buy you freedom. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Get together with loved ones to talk about plans for the upcom- ing year. The information you receive will help you choose your own strategy for a prosperous year. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — You'll need a little downtime to mull over your past, present and future. Consider the people who have helped you out and those who have let you down. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Family get-togethers will be tiring and emotional. Sharing ideas, plans and aspirations for the upcoming year will result in opposition and interference. You are best off sticking close to home. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Consider what you like and what you are disappointed in when it comes to your looks and potential. Plan to make positive changes that will help improve your prospects. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Don't let anyone lean on you. Focus on your needs and how you can boost your energy, op- portunities and finances. Learn to say no, and start the year off right. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Good fortune will result if you take the initiative and work hard. Nothing happens without effort, and counting on others will lead to disappointment. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Make your voice heard. Take part in a movement that will bring about change. Promise to live up to your beliefs and to confront what you feel is unfair or unjust. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You should take a walk down memory lane and consider how events unfolded last year. Learn from your experience and make a point to strive to be bet- ter and do more. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, JAN. 1, 2016 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 6 B