Vol. 76, No. 12, December
2003
You're the Best
Need help coping with stress, depression, or alcoholism?
Call WisLAP at (800) 543-2625.
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