Dear SACDLA Memebers and Non-Members;
When I first thought to form this committee, I suggested it during a Board meeting after we had suffered a dual trauma of the loss of two excellent attorneys. I did not want to see a repeat of such loss and wanted to create something that might help be a lifeline or, at the very least, a sympathetic ear. Sometimes all it takes is for someone to listen. As we see in the news now every night, there is an importance to listening and acknowledging someone else’s troubles. There always has been.
To that end, I am publishing the current Wellness Committee members who have volunteered to offer informal support and be a resource for us all if needed:
Angela Moore 210-364-0013 angela@angelamoorelaw.com
Karen Corby 210-725-6637 klc1590@aol.com
Meenu Walters 210-294-2515 mwalters@lawwalters.com
Jessica Gonzalez 210-387-7418 jglawofficetx@gmail.com
Ling Han 210-848-3787 ling.han84@gmail.com
Zoe Russell 210-501-0458 zoe@lawzoerussell.com
Pat Montgomery 210-834-4437 patmontgomery@gmail.com
Jorge Aristotelidis 210-378-6998 jgaristo67@gmail.com
Joseph Esparza 210-416-8389 josephesparzalaw@gmail.com
Roland Garcia 210-391-1727 roland@210defense.com
We are fellow attorneys and will listen and be as responsive as we can should you call us to talk. If you can’t reach us, leave a message or call another member on the list. We will treat communications confidentially and sensitively within the committee. By design, there is a wide choice of volunteers one can reach out to if you need to talk. If you want to be on the committee as well, please email Andrew Froelich, our Webmaster, and let him know.
I personally have taken two calls in the past two months and both individuals just needed an ear and to vent. Neither were in crisis, thankfully. In fact, I enjoyed my conversations with both of them. I look forward to a time when we can all get together over drinks or music or both and just talk and visit with one another.
As a reminder, the Wellness page is on our SACDLA home page and does not require a log in to find our numbers or other helpful links for any member in crisis.
Everyone stay safe out there and look out for one another. Remember, you are not alone — even during the roller coaster that is 2020.
Sincerely,
Joseph A. Esparza
SACDLA, President
- Texas Lawyers Assistance Program
The TLAP team is well equipped to help and they personally staff a helpline around the clock (if they don’t answer directly they will call back within a few minutes) The TLAP helpline is 800-343-TLAP (8527) and website is www.TLAPHelps.org. You can call anonymously and it is confidential by statute. Pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code Section 467, all communication with TLAP is confidential.
- If you are having a mental health crisis or are actively considering suicide, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255).
- SEE Chris Ritter, JD, MEd, Director, Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program article attached.