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| November/December 2024 | BAEC Bulletin
BAEC Bulletin | November/December 2024 |
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
FROM THE ERIE COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION
Dear BAEC Members and Friends: What a beautiful WNY fall we have had! When I face yet another yard full of leaves to manage (or not), I remind myself that it was not long ago that we had some significant snowstorms in November and appreciate our good fortune on the weather front compared to what other regions have endured over the re- cent past. I love living here with our changing four seasons! I write this letter to you on the last Sunday in November, a bright and sunny day in the 50’s that lifted my spirits as I ran errands to prepare for Thanksgiving. The last two weeks of my job have been hard. I am sure that many of you share that sentiment. Being a lawyer is tough. We take on everyone else’s problems and try to fix them. Day in and day out, that can wear on the bounce in our step as we go into the office for another long day, trying to help others. Last Sunday, I attended a screening of attorney Dan Lukasik’s excellent film, My Brother Lost in Time: A Bipolar Life. It was a short, but powerful, film about how Dan’s brother struggled with bipolar disorder. Dan’s late younger brother, no doubt, faced many difficult days in his life challenged by his mental health issues. I reached out to Dan after the screening to thank him for his career-long work to reduce the stigma around mental illness. I told him that my mother lived with schizophrenia. She was the nicest person I have ever known, mother of eight kids, a talented artist and a college professor. It was heartbreaking when she was overtaken periodically by the disease and made even worse because none of the adults in our family acknowledged or talked to my siblings or to me about her illness while we were growing up. I have no statistics to cite regarding the percentage of lawyers who situational- ly or chronically suffer from depression and/or other mental health challenges. Even if I were to provide them here, I am certain they would be dramatically under-reported. My wish this holiday season is that we are kind to ourselves and, if we need help, we seek it without hesitation, without embarrassment and, most of all, knowing that there is no judgment, no shame in asking for help, despite the fact that we, as lawyers, are usually the ones providing it to others. There are multiple BAEC resources available for lawyers in crisis. The BAEC Lawyers Helping Lawyers program is confidential and effective for attorneys experiencing substance use disorders. Please call 716.852.1777 for their support should you ever need it. The Erie County Bar Foundation provides confidential financial assistance to attorneys managing illness, substance use disorder, job loss, community or fam- ily trauma or similar difficulties. The Foundation also collaborates closely with the BAEC’s Lawyers Helping Lawyers program and Depression Support Group, founded and led by Dan Lukasik. The Foundation operates almost exclusively with BAEC member financial support. The Erie Bar Foundation’s 2025 Campaign is open. Please consider a gift this season to support your colleagues who need our help. You can donate online through the BAEC member portal. Thank you and I wish everyone safe and happy holidays!
With the “to do” lists growing as the holiday season draws near, it is important to remember that we need to take time for ourselves. So often, as “doers” and “fixers,” we forget about our own needs. Taking a walk to reset, scheduling a long overdue medical appointment, or having a cup of coffee with a friend to simply catch up is just as important as your other items that must get done. McLean’s Guide to Managing Mental Health Around the Holidays lists six (6) signs that indicate you may be struggling. They include: 1. You are lacking in the “Holiday Spirit.” 2. You are overwhelmed by grief and loss. 3. You are feeling pressured to participate in activities but want no part of them. 4. You are stressed about giving gifts. 5. A lack of sunlight is affecting your mood. 6. You are alone or feeling isolated. As a member of the Bar Association of Erie County, you have access to our free and confidential Member Assistance Program (MAP), at (716) 681-4300 should you wish to speak with a professional. As the 2025 Campaign for the Bar Foundation kicks off, you will receive correspondence from our Campaign Chair, John Richmond. Heartfelt messages from colleagues who wish to tell you how the Foundation supported them in a time of need are inspiring. When you are considering a monetary gift to support the Foundation’s efforts, the words of Helen Keller ring true- “ The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched. They must be felt with the heart.” May your heart be touched knowing that your donation provides hope and help to so many. The Bar Foundation has been providing confidential assistance to attorneys in need since 1957. If you need assistance or know a friend or colleague
LAUREN E. BREEN PRESIDENT BAR ASSOCIATION OF ERIE COUNTY
HELEN FERRARO-ZAFFRAM PRESIDENT ERIE COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION
SCAN TO DONATE TO THE FOUNDATION
who does, please call Anne M. Noble at (716) 852-1777. Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
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