Florida (where else of course) man called 911 17 times becase he was lonely

[47of74]

And of course learned the hard way that wasn't a good idea.

If you are feeling blue and need someone to talk to, do not call the 911 operator to chat.

Police allege that Jeffrey Gorton, 55, called the emergency dispatch number 17 times between Wednesday and Thursday this week. The Florida Man explained that he dialed 911 because “he was lonely and needed someone to talk to,” according to a criminal complaint.

Gorton was warned, cops say, that if he persisted contacting emergency services “without the need for such services he would be subject to arrest.”

[GeorgeGist]

1. In some countries he might have received sympathy.

[HopeAgain]

2. In America having mental health issues is a crime...

as well as something to be laughed at.

[unblock]

4. in some places this might have been recognized as an emergency

not knowing the details, i'm not sure it wasn't an emergency.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. This made me sad.

[csziggy]

5. They should have sent him to 211 - that is a help line

http://www.211.org/

While 211 is for far more than just mental health, that is one of the areas in which they provide assistance.