Feb. 1, 2017 – Doctors advise that we should all have check-ups each year for our physical health. So why not have one for our mental health?
That’s good advice, according to Mary Spranger.
Spranger is the new manager of the State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program or WisLAP, which provides confidential assistance to help lawyers, judges, law students, and their families cope with problems, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction. Her new role took effect in November.
WisLAP offers free and confidential assistance for all issues regarding your professional or personal well-being. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with picking up the phone and calling WisLAP for a consult just to talk things over,” Spranger said.
It’s No Longer ‘Never Show Weakness’
There's an old adage that lawyers should never show weakness – but that's outdated thinking when it comes to asking for emotional support, says Spranger. "Reaching out for assistance when you need it is smart," she said. "If you aren't taking time for yourself and actively using stress management and coping skills, problems can build over time and derail a promising career."
Lawyers tend not to seek help until they’ve exhausted everything else, Spranger has learned. “By the time they reach out, they are at a place where they feel very anxious to get started on the path to getting better,” Spranger said.
WisLAP isn’t only for those struggling with substance abuse or alcoholism. “We help with mental health and addiction issues, yes,” Spranger said, “but we also help when lawyers have concerns about cognitive impairment, physical disease, or grief and loss. Or anything of concern in your personal life or practice.”
Confidentiality is guaranteed: WisLAP is exempt from reporting professional misconduct to the Office of Lawyer Regulation under Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 20:8.3(c)(2) and to the Judicial Commission under Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 60.04(3). “You don’t even have to give your name,” Spranger said, and no case records are kept.
Keeping to its promise of strict confidentiality, the program does not track how many individuals it helps. Instead, it tracks the number of “contacts” – email, phone calls, and in-person. That number amounts to around 600 per year.
Warning Signs – WisLAP’s 150+ Volunteer Judges and Lawyers Are Trained to Help
It’s important not to wait to seek help until an impairment causes disciplinary issues and your license to practice is at stake, according to WisLAP manager Mary Spranger.
So what are the warning signs that a problem may be ready to disrupt your work life?
The warning signs include missing appointments, missing work, and lowering your internal standards for the work you produce – such as avoiding phone calls or emails from clients. “Those are signs that it’s time to reach out and talk to someone,” Spranger said. “There is no shame in admitting vulnerability, that you need help.”
WisLAP maintains a free, 24-hour help line, (800) 543-2625, with more than 150 trained volunteer lawyers and judges waiting to offer support and guidance. Many have overcome struggles of their own and want to give back to the profession. "All have a desire to support other lawyers," Spranger said.
Spranger urges anyone to call if they have concerns about themselves or about a colleague.
“We have a proven track record of helping legal professionals – and really, we’re the perfect place to start,” Spranger said.
Experienced and Ready to Help
Originally from Houston, Spranger earned her master’s degree in social work in 1996 from Tulane University in New Orleans, and came to Wisconsin after her marriage. She’s worked as a clinical social worker in Houston, in the Emergency Department doing psychiatric assessments at Meriter Hospital in Madison, and as a full-time mother of two boys.
A licensed clinical social worker, Spranger was hired part-time by the State Bar in 2012 as WisLAP coordinator, and moved to the full-time manager’s position in November when her predecessor, Linda Albert, left to resume private practice. “I’m really enjoying meeting our members and law students,” Spranger said. “Those relationships are important to me.”
Her skills involve assessment and diagnosis, listening and referral, and taking consideration of individuals within their environment as a whole. Lawyers, she said, are talented and hard-working, and often able to continue their work despite struggling with a significant impairment.
But they don’t have to. “We are always just a phone call or email away,” Spranger said.
WisLAP maintains a free, 24-hour help line, (800) 543-2625, and Spranger can be reached via email at mspranger@wisbar.org.
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Many lawyers struggling with stress can feel isolated. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Elizabeth Cavell. She shares her own battles with depression and anxiety and how lawyers can find the help they need to stay fit to practice.
A landmark study recently confirmed that lawyers experience significant substance abuse and mental health issues, with younger lawyers especially at risk. Explore what it means for the profession, and hear from Wisconsin lawyers who share their stories of dealing with health issues in the article below.
"Landmark Study: U.S. Lawyers Face Higher Rates of Problem Drinking and Mental Health Issues," Wisconsin Lawyer, February 2016
Mindful of Balance
That annual call for a well-being checkup is one way to attain a healthy work-life balance. “Health, wellness, balance – that is something you want to strive for,” Spranger said. It can take some work. Lawyers who are healthy, who have an internal sense of happiness and motivation, are the most resilient and more productive over the course of their careers, Spranger said.
She knows there are times when that balance can’t be met – such as before a trial or when completing a project on a deadline, when you don’t eat well and you work long hours. “You can’t sustain that forever. It is important to regain the balance again afterward,” she said.
Giving Back
Spranger can’t say enough about the lawyers and judges who volunteer for the WisLAP program. More than 150 strong, the confidential volunteers are the heart of the program. Volunteers are trained once per year, at a free program at the State Bar Center in Madison.
And more are welcome. “We’re always looking for volunteers to help spread the word,” Spranger said. To find out more, visit WisBar.org.
On Lawyers and Wellness
Want more information on lawyer wellness? Look for these discussions in past issues of Wisconsin Lawyer magazine and InsideTrack:
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“Landmark Study: U.S. Lawyers Face Higher Rates of Problem Drinking and Mental Health Issues,” Wisconsin Lawyer, February 2016
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“Mindfulness: The Failure-proof Practice for Improving Your Well-being,” InsideTrack, May 18, 2016
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“Consider Wellness: Your Wellness – Whose Job Is It?” InsideTrack, March 16, 2016
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“Consider Wellness: Helping Others, Helping Yourself,” InsideTrack, July 16, 2016
And the “On Balance” column in Wisconsin Lawyer, including: