Vol. 76, No. 12, December 2003

You're the Best

by
State Bar executive director

The call came in at 4 a.m. WisLAP coordinator Shell Goar asked if the lawyer-volunteer was willing to take a call from an out-of-state Wisconsin lawyer. It was early, but WisLAP volunteer Gary Bakke knew it must be an emergency, so he took the call. The lawyer calling wanted to talk about her depression.

State Bar past president Gary Bakke is one of several attorneys trained as volunteers for the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) Helpline. While serving as State Bar president, Bakke informed Wisconsin lawyers of his depression, plans for his suicide, and his treatment and return to productivity in an article in this magazine titled "Brainstorm." His story, told in the hopes that lawyers everywhere would seek help, has been reprinted in other bar association magazines and is still referenced by lawyers calling the WisLAP helpline. "Brainstorm" is available online at www.wisbar.org/wislawmag/2000/12/qol.html.

Many lawyers think of WisLAP only as a program designed to help lawyers overcome their alcoholism, but that is just one aspect of WisLAP's broader program today. Research on alcoholism shows that it is a disease of the brain, but the exact cause is still unknown. What is known is that some people who suffer from stress and depression self medicate with alcohol and drugs, which can lead to the downward spiral of addiction and alcoholism.

Helping lawyers seek treatment for their stress, depression, and alcoholism is important work. It protects the lawyer, the public, and the integrity of the legal system. It prevents malpractice, OLR complaints, and trust account theft, and promotes confidence in the system of justice. And that's only in relation to the lawyer's professional life.

Stress and depression are just as deadly as alcohol. As Bakke relates in his article, close relationships are damaged and clients are poorly served if served at all. Too often, too many lawyers believe they can think their way out of stress or depression just as they think through problems for their clients. But it doesn't work that way. Clinical depression is a disease characterized by an imbalance of one or more chemicals in the brain. It can be managed with medication.

The winter holidays are an extremely stressful time for many people. They already have too much to do without worrying about holiday preparations. And the shorter days of winter can trigger seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - a mood disorder associated with depression episodes.

As the caller talked with Bakke, she said she was a lawyer, but not a Wisconsin lawyer. Then why are you calling Wisconsin Lawyer Assistance Program? Well, I did some research on the Internet, and I found out you're the best.

If you are a lawyer, or know a colleague, friend, or relative, who suffers from alcoholism, stress, or depression, call WisLAP at (800) 543-2625. Give the best gift of all - give a gift of help.

Wisconsin Lawyer