Proferssionlism Page

• Publication year: 2021
• Pages: 0082
• Citation: Vol. 27 No. 1 Pg. 0082

Professionalism Page Vol. 27 No. 1 Pg. 82 Georgia Bar Journal August, 2021

You Matter

As lawyers and judges, we specialize in helping people with problems. We mask the fact that we have our own problems. It is okay to ask others if they need help. It is okay to ask for help. Your life matters. You matter.

BY KARLISE Y. GRIER

"I did not think anyone would care if I was here or not," shared Dr. Mark Swancutt, a panelist at the Suicide Awareness Program convened by the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism on April 30. Dr. Swancutt then shared how wrong he was, as evidenced by the outpouring of support he received when he was hospitalized for an illness. His powerful testimony was not unique. Throughout the Suicide Awareness Program, which had as one of its goals making the case that suicide is preventable, we heard many times how people often feel their family, friends and colleagues would be better off without them. We also learned during the program that it is untrue when believe that we don't matter.

Your Life Matters. You Matter.

Suicide is a difficult topic, and even more so when it is something that you have personal experience with. A number of the program's speakers and panelists shared these experiences with those participating as this extremely important dialogue began. Moderator Sally Yates shared the impact that her father's death had on her life. J. Kelley Quillian, a former judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia, died by suicide in 1986.^[1] State Bar Attorney Wellness Committee Chair R. Javoyne Hicks spoke about the challenges she faced as a single parent after her children lost their father, attorney Charles Hicks, to suicide. And it was those unique experiences that played a large part in Hicks' role helping to launch the State Bar's Attorney Wellness Program—Lawyers Living Well.^[2]

State Bar Past President Robin Frazer Clark and Hon. Bill Reinhardt highlighted the tremendous professional and personal contributions made by some of our colleagues who died by suicide, including 2004-05 State Bar President Rob Reinhardt. Theirs lives mattered—as does each of our lives. And because we all matter, one of Clark's initiatives during her year as president was to launch the State Bar of Georgia's Suicide Awareness Prevention Campaign.

Suicide is preventable, and we as a legal community can each play a role in creating an environment that makes it less likely that another colleague will die by suicide. In professionalism parlance, I would say, "To my colleagues in the practice of law, I offer concern for your welfare. I will strive to make our association a professional friendship."^[3] As a practical matter, I would offer these suggestions gleaned from the Suicide Awareness Program.

Be Lovingly Present

Attorney Lynn Garson shared in a paper she wrote for the program:

"Recognizing that depression is a disease of isolation, others can try to spend time with the person or check in by phone if in person is not possible. The calls and visits from my friends propped me up enough to stay alive until I got the help I needed. If I had thought that no one cared, I wouldn't have made it through. If you see any spark of interest or liveliness, do your best to fan the flame. Given the person's low state, it may not work, but if it does, you will have gained some ground. If the person wants to talk, listen. Don't listen so that you can respond and fix it (which you can't and will make you both miserable). Listen to be present to that person's distress. Don't hide from...