Articles tagged with 'MOLAP' | The Missouri Bar

Seasonal depression is sometimes referred to as the winter blues or its former clinical term, Seasonal Affective Disorder. Symptoms tend to arrive and recede around the same time each year, with mood lowering as days grow darker and lifting in the sp...

Nearly 100 lawyers convened Thursday, Nov. 2, for the 2023 Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference.The annual event brings together individuals who are passionate about well-being, both professionally and personally. A variety of programming was avai...

What do the 12 steps of recovery and Missouri’s Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers have in common? According to Lisa Hanna, a lot. Hanna will dive into the intersection of the two during the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference, Nov. 2, 202...

by Anne Chambers, LCSWIn September, we recognize Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Lawyers have above-average rates of substance concerns, depression, and suicide. In a 2015 study by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the ABA Commission on Lawy...

by Raven Ballard, PLPC, MOLAP clinician and well-being coordinatorSuicide is a heavy topic, and I have yet to meet an individual who enjoys talking about it. Regardless, it’s imperative that we have these discussions.Suicidal ideation, otherwise know...

Lawyers looking for CLE and strategies for well-being are invited to attend the 2023 Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference on Nov. 2 in Jefferson City. Over the course of the day, attendees will hear from a slate of speakers presenting on mental he...

by Raven Ballard, PLPC, MOLAP clinician and well-being coordinatorIn the culture of working as a lawyer, it’s historically been rewarded to put yourself last and to put your work first. Some lawyers will even wear their long hours and lack of work-li...

by Raven Ballard, PLPC, MOLAP clinician and well-being coordinatorDepression can be described as a profound sadness and inability to experience pleasure. But it’s important to note that depressive symptoms rarely manifest as clearly as they are defin...

My grandfather died by suicide when I was three – a fact I learned only recently because no one talked about it. Today, fortunately, the stigma around mental illness and suicide is waning, as sufferers and survivors courageously speak out to help oth...

The legal profession has elevated rates of depression, substance use, and suicide. As September, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, nears, Missouri lawyers are invited to participate in one of four Out of the Darkness walks hosted in Battlefield, Co...

by Anne Chambers, LCSWIt has been argued that we in the USA don’t vacation often enough, long enough, or well enough. In fact, we often try to work even while on vacation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 33% of attorneys work 50 or more ...

Each year, The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program recognizes lawyers for their work in support of well-being and recovery in the legal profession. Nominations are now open for three MOLAP awards, which are sponsored by The Bar Plan and presented du...

A version of this article was previously published Jan. 20, 2022Patrick Krill, J.D., and Justin Anker, M.D., with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota recently released the results of a survey taken afte...

Raven Ballard, PLPCLawyers are increasingly using technology in their careers. Technology use among lawyers will continue to increase due to cost effectiveness, productivity benefits, and ease of client access. But this rise in technology use is acco...

by Raven Ballard, PLPCOur careers are a big chunk of our lives. We spend hours in the workplace, out in the field, or even working from home. For many of us, our careers are a piece of our identity. Because our workplace plays such a large role in ou...

by Raven Ballard, PLPCIf you look up the definition of spirituality, you’ll find yourself faced with a plethora of definitions that are each a little different from the last. I think this speaks for itself, as spirituality is not one-size-fits-all. F...

by Raven Ballard, PLPCWhen thinking about our health, it’s easy to focus on our physical health and our mental health as independent functions. A glance at recent healthcare trends, though, will reveal that our society has begun shifting its perspect...

As the importance of wellness and mental health continues to be normalized in the legal profession, Missouri lawyers might consider evaluating their own well-being. May 1-5 offers a chance to do just that by participating in Well-being Week in Law. O...

It's time to plan for the 28th annual Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Conference! This year's conference will be a hybrid event, with options for virtual or in-person attendance on Thursday, Nov. 2, at The Missouri Bar Center in Jefferson City. Programm...

 Erica Mynarich is a criminal defense lawyer with Cantin Mynarich LLC in Springfield. She serves on The Missouri Bar Board of Governors and the Standing Committee on Well-being in the Profession, among other committees, and has been recognized for her...

by Anne Chambers, LCSW April is #AlcoholAwarenessMonth. It will probably come as no surprise that binge drinking is the most common pattern of excess alcohol use in the United States. What constitutes a binge? According to the CDC and the National In...

In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program is offering free, confidential substance screenings throughout the month of April.   To schedule a screening appointment or talk to a professional, call 1-800-688-7859. Fac...

The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program will undergo an evaluation through the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs from May 22-25, 2023. This evaluation process is recommended for lawyer assistance programs to further g...

The Missouri Bar Foundation Board of Trustees approved five grants – totaling $34,000 to help legal entities provide expanded civic education resources, lawyer wellbeing opportunities, statewide training for Legal Aid programs, and a handbook for sen...

by Anne Chambers, LCSW, MOLAP director There aren’t many articles addressing borderline personality disorder in litigation. Borderline personality is complicated to treat and poorly understood. Individuals with this condition experience strong emotio...

by Raven Ballard, PLPCWith the holiday season wrapped up, many of us are working toward getting back into the swing of routines and balance. While there’s no doubt the holidays are a stressful time of the year, it’s important to remember that managin...

Reaching out for support is a sign of strength and hope. As you prepare for the bar exam, remember MOLAP is here to help! 

The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program recently hired Raven Ballard, M. Ed., PLPC, as a clinician and well-being coordinator. Though Ballard is new to the position, she has a history of working at The Missouri Bar. Learn more about Ballard below, a...

by MOLAP Director Anne Chambers, LCSW Many of us reconsider our relationship with alcohol or other substances at some point. Reasons vary and are highly personal, such as making health changes, focusing on fitness, being sick and tired of feeling sic...

The Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program is a free, professional, confidential counseling program for members of the Missouri Bar, their families, and law students in Missouri. Through a variety of free services, MOLAP helps individuals overcome pers...