A transcript from the new answering service recently installed at the Mental Health Institute:

 

"Hello, and welcome to the mental health hotline....

 

If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.

 

If you are codependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

 

If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.

 

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call.

 

If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship.

 

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.

 

If you are a depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press - no one will answer.

 

If you are dyslexic, press 9696969696969.

 

If you have a nervous disorder, please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on the line.

 

If you have amnesia press 8 and state your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number and your mother's maiden name.

 

If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, slowly and carefully press 000.

 

If you have bipolar disorder, please leave a message after the beep or before the beep. Or after the beep. Please wait for the beep.

 

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

 

If you have low self esteem, please hang up. All our operators are too busy to talk to you."