about-us

We

are a group of legal professionals (attorneys, paralegals, law students, and admin) who have experienced depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse, addiction and other mental health conditions, or who just don’t feel quite right.

We launched this grassroots project to help break the stigma around discussing our mental health and to provide peer support to each other.

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Meredith Siller Rimalower
Clinical Counseling Trainee and former BigLaw associate

LDP is an easily accessible, pressure-free environment where lawyers can share and truly be heard.

Through meetings and online forums, LDP is an easily accessible, pressure-free environment where lawyers can share and truly be heard, without judgment, among thoughtful, intelligent, and compassionate members.

Lisa Smith
Deputy Executive Director and Director of Client Relations at Patterson Belknap in New York City

I’m thrilled that lawyers now have this incredible community of support — no one needs to work through these issues alone.

I was terrified of anyone in my firm learning of my substance use, so I had resisted seeking the help I needed. I’m committed to smashing the stigma around these issues so that we can all understand the resources available to us and feel comfortable reaching out for help. We all deserve to be healthy and happy. I’m thrilled that lawyers now have this incredible community of support — no one needs to work through these issues alone.

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Reid Murtaugh
Attorney in Lafayette, Indiana

LDP is the peer community that I hoped to discover when I started this journey.

I attend individual therapy bi-weekly.  However, I have only attended a traditional mental health support group two times in my life.  I found them helpful but never returned.  LDP is different than a traditional support group.  I have regularly attended LDP calls over the past year.  The calls provide me with a sense of belonging that I can’t find anywhere else.  Knowing that I have instant access to peer support provides a greater feeling of stability.  If you are looking to connect with others that experience similar struggles as you, this community is for you.

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Erik

For the first time in my life I feel like I can reach out to a group who truly understands what it's like to have depression and anxiety on the inside while functioning as a "high performer" on the outside.

It’s incredibly helpful having a network of individuals with highly relatable feelings, experiences and circumstances. For the first time in my life I feel like I can reach out to a group who truly understands what it’s like to have depression and anxiety on the inside while functioning as a “high performer” on the outside. Thank you Joe and the LDP community!

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Member Benefits

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Weekly, remote, peer-to-peer support group meetings

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How long are meetings?

Our peer-to-peer support meetings last on average 1 hour.

Do I have to say my name during a support meeting?

No. You are free to remain anonymous during the call. You can also use an alias. Or if you want to just call in and listen, you can do that as well.

How many people participate?

There can be anywhere between 6-15 people participating in a support meeting.

Where do your peer-to-peer support meetings take place?

All our meetings happen remotely, so you are invited to participate from wherever you are. This could be at home, at the office, in your car, while walking your dog; no matter where you are you can join the meeting via your phone or computer.

What do you talk about?

Here are some examples of meeting topics and member questions:

  • I’m wondering how many other attorneys have told their work they struggle with depression/anxiety and what their experience has been?
  • I’d like to ask the group whether knowing what caused/led up to their depression helps or hurts their recovery? If they don’t know, how much is it hurting/helping?
  • What are your most important self-care practices? Why it is important to prioritize yourself?
  • How has your experience with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues added value to your life or your work?

How do our meetings end?

We typically end our meetings with members (who so choose) sharing a statement of gratitude.

Private members-only forum for sharing & learning

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What is the LDP Community Forum?

It is a confidential web forum where our community posts information to share and learn from each other.

Who can read posts?

Only members can read the posts.  We have logins and passwords to access the forum.

Who can post?

All members can post to the forum.

What is discussed in the forum?

Whatever you want to discuss.  You can ask a question to the group and get crowd sourced type feedback.

What does it cost to use the forum?

Nothing.  All of our resources are free.

What do people talk about?

Whatever is on their mind.  Here are some examples of member questions:

  • When you feel at a particularly low point, what are some of the strategies that you use to lift yourself up, or at least bring yourself to a place of safety and security?
  • Has anyone had his/her depression start with deep anxiety?
  • I’d like to ask the group whether knowing what caused/led up to their depression helps or hurts their recovery? If they don’t know, how much is it hurting/helping?

 

Anonymous group chat for real-time questions & support

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What is the LDP Group Chat?

We provide a confidential 24/7 chat functionality to our members using Google Chat.

Who can enter the LDP Group Chat?

Only members can enter the Chat Room.  We have logins and passwords.

Who can chat?

All members have access to the Group Chat.

What is discussed in the Chat Room?

Whatever you want to discuss.  You can ask a question to the group and get crowd sourced type feedback.

What does it cost to use the Chat Room?

Nothing.  All of our resources are free.

Receive an anonymous email address for use with group meetings and the forum

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How can members remain anonymous within the LDP?

When you join the LDP, you get to choose a user name (which can be anonymous).  You then receive  an email address.  You choose a password.  You can then login to the Community Forum, Group Chat and Meetings.

Can I access and post to the forum anonymously?

Yes, you just use your anonymous email address to login to the forum.

Can I access and post to the Group Chat anonymously?

Yes, you just use your anonymous email address to login to the Group Chat.

Do I have to say my name during a support meeting?

No. You are free to remain anonymous during the meeting. You can also use an alias. Or if you’d like, you can just call in and listen.

 

Don’t

be ashamed of your story.  It will inspire others.

– author unknown