Feb. 18, 2009 – The State Bar Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) is reaching out to judges to help serve the legal community. WisLAP provides confidential, meaningful assistance to lawyers, judges, law students, and their families in coping with alcoholism or other addictions, mental illness, or other problems related to or affecting the practice of law. The program is designed to help members build on their strengths and provide support through the enhancement of physical, mental and emotional health.
Volunteer judges will be trained in providing confidential help to judges in the areas of stress management, mental health, addictions, and program protocols. Volunteer judges also can help develop programming to address prevention of judicial impairment, educate the judiciary statewide regarding the services available to them, recruit and train judge volunteers, and provide confidential assistance to judges based upon a judges helping judges model.
In early January, seven judges attended the first all-day training session. The next all-day training session will be held on June 19 at the State Bar in Madison.
This program expansion is a result of the Judicial Assistance Committee’s recent incorporation to operate as a separate assistance program within WisLap. The initial Judicial Assistance Committee was established by the Director of State Courts Office in 2004.
If you need help, or know of someone who needs help, whether a lawyer, a judge, a law student, or a member of their family, call the 24-hour confidential helpline at (800) 543-2625; or contact State Bar WisLAP coordinator Linda Albert at (800) 944-9404, ext. 6172 or (608) 250-6172. Albert is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified substance abuse clinician.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Albert.