A Local Approach to Lawyers’ Assistance
The practice of law is demanding! It demands your time, your energy, and your undivided attention. As an attorney, you assume enormous burdens on behalf of your clients and often forsake your own well-being to ensure positive outcomes for others. These sacrifices, many times seen as necessary to achieve success as an attorney, can exact a substantial toll on your mental and physical health.
As a result, many legal professionals struggle with overcoming stress, depression, anxiety, and/or alcohol and drug problems. In fact, recent research demonstrates that attorneys suffer from mental illness and drug or alcohol addiction at significantly higher rates than the general population and most other professions. Don’t worry, the Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee is here to help!
The Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee is committed to providing confidential, meaningful assistance to lawyers and law students in coping with alcohol or drug addictions, mental health illnesses, or any other personal or professional crises. The Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee is comprised of James “Jeb” E. Benfer, III (Chair), of McCullough, Wareheim, & LaBunker, P.A., The Honorable Teresa Watson, District Court Judge of The Third Judicial District Court of Shawnee County, Kansas, Bryan Smith, of Smith Law Firm, Jonathan M. Snyder, of Cook & Associates, LLC, Kerry Gasper, of Wiechman & Gasper, P.A., John Harper, of Harper Law Office; and Whitney Casement of Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer, LLP.
The Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee’s mission is to confidentially provide meaningful assistance to any attorney or law student needing help by reason of addiction to alcohol or drugs or as a result of any mental or physical illness or disorder. The Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee is a free, confidential assistance program providing consultation, referral, and intervention for lawyers and law students who are struggling with substance abuse, stress or emotional health issues. While the Kansas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (KALAP) remains an option, The Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee offers a friendly, local approach to providing our colleagues with assistance and support.
Personal problems are hard to talk about, especially for attorneys. The Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee treats each request for help with the same confidentiality as the lawyer-client relationship. The Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee has substantial expertise and experience in assisting with the complicated issues faced by lawyers and law students and a proven record of helping legal professionals overcome their struggles and maintain continued wellness.
If you need help, contact a member of the Topeka Bar Association Lawyers’ Assistance Committee today. Confidential and free.
James “Jeb” E. Benfer, III Phone: 785-233-2323
Honorable Teresa Watson Phone: 785-251-6320
Bryan Smith Phone: 785-234-2453
Jonathan M. Snyder Phone: 785-235-5500
Kerry Gasper Phone: 785-233-8862
John Harper Phone: 785-354-8188
Whitney Casement Phone: 785-233-0511
Jeb Benfer, Chair of the Lawyers Assistance Committee
In addition to contacting a committee member, below are helpful resources for attorneys:
Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program
1-785-368-8275
Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Family Support
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) 310-534-1815
Al-Anon/Alateen 888-4AL-anon
Nar-Anon Family Groups
Mental Health Sites
American Psychiatric Publishing
MDadvice.com
Archives of the Journal of General Psychiatry (AMA)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIDA)
Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity
Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) 800-477-8191
Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) 781-255-8825
Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) 615-331-6230
Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa & Associated (Eating) Disorders
Overeaters Anonymous 505-891-2664
Chemical Dependency & Self Help Sites
Addiction Recovery Resources for Professionals
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 212-870-3400
American Medical Association
Cocaine Anonymous (CA) 800-347-8998
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) 213-488-4455
Dual Diagnosis Website
Dual Recovery Anonymous
Marijuana Anonymous (MA)
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Nicotine Anonymous (NA) 415-750-0328
Compulsive Gambling
Debtors Anonymous (DA) 781-453-2743
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) 231-386-8789
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION’S NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON LAWYER WELL-BEING
Creating a Movement To Improve Well-Being in the Legal Profession
HAZELDEN BETTY FORD PRESS RELEASE ON JOINT ABA STUDY ON ATTORNEY SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
LINK TO HAZELDEN BETTY FORD/ABA STUDY ON ATTORNEY SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS