THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Alone? Lonely? Isolated?

Whether you practice as a sole practitioner or work in a large firm, you may sometimes experience feelings of loneliness or isolation. It can be difficult for lawyers to let down their defences; to ask for help; to acknowledge that something may be beyond them. After all, lawyers solve problems, give sage advice and take care of things, don’t they?

But who do we turn to for encouragement? Who can we trust with our innermost feelings? Who would even understand our struggles when no one around us seems to be having difficulties? Self-imposed isolation can lead to claims, client complaints, addictions, stress, burnout and mental illness.

Denying our humanity turns us into non-feeling beings, legal robots who refuse to accept that life can sometimes be a challenge too great to handle. Call OLAP and talk with someone who understands.

May/June 2000

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