Page 39 - May2019_BarJournal

COLuMN BarJournal

JULY/AUGUST 2015

mentAL HeALtH AWAreness,

A sPotLigHt on Attorney

mentAL HeALtH & WeLL-Being mentAL HeAL

Robert Rowney

hen I was asked to several of whom have already attempted pleasant. These treatment options vary widely
write this article, I suicide. An important factor in almost any and can range from individual therapy to
considered many aspect of medical treatment is the notion outpatient programs, as well as inpatient
options for topics of catching the illness early. The earlier an mental health treatment and residential and
W regarding the illness is diagnosed and treated, the higher the sober living possibilities. The best place to
interactions between Psychiatry and the legal opportunity to reach a true remission state. start for milder issues is usually a conversation
system. There are a lot of different options, Quickly recognized mental health issues are with your Primary Care Physician. If things
but I felt that it should be something helpful no different. If diagnosed early, we can often have progressed beyond this and you are
to those reading this. I am a clinical inpatient use less invasive therapy methods, lower doses feeling unsafe or at risk from significant drug
Psychiatrist for Highland Springs Hospital and of fewer medications, and often have better or alcohol withdrawal, call or visit Highland
most of my interactions with the legal system, response rates and improved outcomes. Springs anytime, contact 911, or go directly
perhaps fortunately, have been with directly There are multiple reasons attorneys may to the closest emergency room. Remember, tH & WeLLness
treating attorneys in need of help. I have hesitate when seeking help. Busy professionals those who never ask for help will continue to
personally treated several different diagnoses in are not always accepting of taking the time to suffer. The help is available. Take advantage of
attorneys, ranging from depression, to anxiety, care for themselves, and the focus on work this and feel proud of yourself for doing so.
to Bipolar Disorder, and all too commonly, frequently supersedes all else. Many attorneys
alcohol and drug abuse. What has occurred to are fearful of the perceived stigma of mental
me, however, was not to focus on the people I’ve health treatment, or are concerned of possible Dr. Rowney is a board certified Psychiatrist.
been able to help, but on the large numbers of job loss or loss of future promotions. Some He received his medical degree from Des
attorneys that have never received help at all. people still view depression and anxiety as Moines University Osteopathic Medical
A 2016 article from the ABA Commission a weakness, while others are using drugs Center and continued on to complete his
with The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and alcohol to self-medicate and mask the Psychiatry Residency at the Cleveland Clinic.
found that the rates of substance use and symptoms. Finally, many people simply do His special interests include Mood disorders
behavioral health issues among attorneys not recognize that they have a problem. and inpatient psychiatry. He holds associations
are quite high. In nearly 13,000 individuals The reality is that plenty of very good with the American Psychiatric Association,
questioned, they found problem drinking rates options are available for treatment, most of Ohio Psychiatric Physician Association and
to be almost 21%. Perhaps more surprising which are confidential and actually quite the American Osteopathic Association.
were the mental health rates. They found
anxiety to be present in 19% of the individuals,
and depression to be present in 28%! Both of
these rates are significantly higher than the
expected rates in the general population, with
depression nearly doubling the general rate.
One of the biggest issues in the current
state of mental health treatment is that the
stigma accompanying these illnesses, along
with the busyness of daily life for professionals 4199 Mill Pond Drive
such as attorneys, keep those in need of help Highland Hills, Ohio 44122
from actually reaching out for help. I speak to (216) 302-3070
attorneys frequently who waited a very long www.highlandspringshealth.com
time to seek help. Many are feeling acutely
suicidal by the time that I am able to see them,
May 2019 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal | 39