This Lawyer Will Be Missed

A lawyer in my small office building died recently. You may have read the obituary in the newspaper. You probably didn't know that he took his own life.

I happened to learn a little about the man I had met in my building. I had been concerned about this lawyer for several years. He was often vague and distant and he had a harsh temper, even with me, a friendly passer-by. Sometimes, he smelled heavily of liquor, even first thing in the morning.

I knew he was in trouble. I sent him a notice inviting him to a meeting of our lawyers' Alcoholics Anonymous meetings which just happens to be in our boardroom on the first Thursday of every month. He never came.

I tried chatting in the hallways but he walked away. Everything about him told me that he wasn't ready for help or to talk about his loneliness and isolation. Most days I was far too busy to give this stranger any further thought. Since his suicide, however, I have given him a lot of thought. I know that most suicide is preventable, that most people give warning signs of their plan to kill themselves, and that anyone, like you or me, can help prevent such a death. If this poor man had called a suicide distress centre or the Ontario Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP), he might have found the support he needed to face life on life's terms.

I learned that he was a kindly and giving man who is much missed by his family, colleagues and clients. I suspect that I am one of many who wishes he hadn't died.

I want help now
OLAP (Ontario Lawyers Assistance Program) provides one-on-one ongoing volunteer peer support and professional counselling to lawyers, judges and law students who suffer from alcohol, drug or other addictions, eating disorders, stress, burnout or mental illness. They will assist with referrals for support, assessments and counselling. If you, your partner or your spouse needs help, please call. All calls are strictly confidential. To contact the Volunteer Executive Director, call John Starzynski 1-877-584-6227. Leota Embleton, Program Manager, can be reached at 416-241-7983 or 1-877-576-6227. The OLAP 24-hour Helpline is 1-800-667-5722. For more information on OLAP and other programs that offer assistance click here.