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DE-LAP is a Confidential, Free, Non-Judgmental Service Just for Delaware Lawyers and Judges

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Getting Help Doesn't Sabotage Your Career, But Not Getting Help Can!

The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP) was created to confidentially expand help to Judges and Lawyers with substance abuse/dependence and/or mental and physical health problems.

Mission Statement: The Mission of The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP) is to provide confidential assistance to Judges and Lawyers. Our goal is to help individuals identify problems affecting their work productivity and/or their quality of life while assisting them in developing effective solutions for those problems thereby culminating in a workplace atmosphere that encourages health and wellness, professional growth and maintains the integrity of the legal profession.

Program Design: The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP) provides a confidential, free, non-disciplinary way for Delaware's Judges and Lawyers to seek appropriate help for problems before they sabotage an individual's career and/or quality of life. Referrals are confidential.

Suicide Prevention: If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicide, please call 1-800-273-8255 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Any legal professional that seeks assistance as a self-referral can be assured that their information will be held in the strictest confidence. Similarly, those who are concerned about a co-worker, peer or other legal professional are guaranteed the same confidentiality.

Carol P. Waldhauser, Executive Director

Carol P. Waldhauser, Executive Director
The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP)
405 N. King Street, Suite 100B
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 777-0124
cwaldhauser@de-lap.org

R. Judson Scaggs, Jr., Esquire, Chair
The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP)
Lawyers Assistance Committee
Phone: 302-351-9340
rscaggs@mnat.com

Karen Jacobs, Esquire, Chair
The Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP)
Professional Guidance Committee
Phone: 302-351-9227
kjacobs@mnat.com

What's New

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News

Even During the Pandemic, Social Media Didn’t Help Mental Health

Social media kept people connected during the pandemic-but that connection came with a price.

Depression and Suicide Prevention for Lawyers

Depression and suicide are the biggest problem lawyers face.

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Learn More

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States. Alcohol abuse and dependence can affect all aspects of a person's life. Long-term alcohol use can cause serious health complications, can damage emotional stability, finances, career, and impact one's family, friends and community.

Substance Use Disorder

Every year, illicit and prescription drugs and alcohol contribute to the death of more than 90,000 Americans. Substance use disorder includes using substances for longer periods of time than intended, or using larger amounts than intended; wanting to reduce use, yet being unsuccessful in doing so; spending excessive time getting, using, and recovering; and cravings that are so intense it is difficult to think about anything else.

Gambling Disorder

Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. Gambling can stimulate the brain's reward system much like drugs or alcohol can, leading to addiction. If you have a problem with compulsive gambling, you may continually chase bets that lead to losses, hide your behavior, deplete savings, accumulate, debt, or even resort to theft or fraud to support your addiction.

Wellness

The astute attorney, however, understands that fitness means more than just fitness of legal expertise; it means also those qualities of physical, mental and psychological health that enables a lawyer to carry out the demands and the responsibilities to their clients and to their profession.

Stay Informed

Depression

Depression is a medical illness that affects a person’s body, mood and thoughts – the whole person. It affects eating and sleeping habits, feelings about self, and every day thoughts. These mood changes may be temporary or long lasting.

Managing Anger

Unfortunately, attorneys are said to be even more vulnerable to the emotions of anger because of the adversarial nature of their profession, the fear of being perceived as weak and the perception of some that anger can foster success.

Stress

In our modern developed society, improved medical care and higher standards of living have dramatically increased life expectancy.
Accordingly if you feel trapped in the middle, you are not alone.

Lawyer Transition

Beginning a new chapter or refining an older one can be a diffucult time in any persons life. Being confident and infirmed is a first step down the road of change.