24
MARCH 2014
PEER LIAISON COMMITTEE REPORT
Presenting messages for the masses
Dr. Gene Stefanelli, PBA Director of Clinical Services, greeted the
audience of union members at the Mini-Convention on March 5
like Jimmy Fallon on his first night. He was about to present an allstar lineup of the PBA's peer assistance and mental health players,
and the next few minutes would confirm how dramatically the association has responded to the biggest issue challenging members the
past couple years.
The latest evolution of the PBA's effort to provide support is the
creation of the Peer Assistance Liaison Committee in December
2013. The committee includes the best of the best from the medical world and PBA members who have dedicated nearly every waking moment to help brothers and sisters facing mental health
challenges that can lead to poor work performance, substance
abuse or worse.
In his opening monologue, Dr. Stef reminded members that they
can all be peer liaisons. "All you need to do is listen," he said. "Your
colleagues who need your help will tell you if you are listening. And
when you hear from them, call us."
As his first guest, Dr. Stef welcomed Ken Burkert, Union County
Corrections Local 199 State Delegate, chairman of the Peer Assistance Committee and the PBA's foremost knowledgeable member
on this subject. As he typically does, Burkert had new insight to add
to his ongoing charge to not be scared to talk to co-workers who
don't seem to be "themselves." His new spin sent an eye-opening
shock wave through the audience.
"When you feel the pain, you go to the doctor and the doctor
writes the script," Burkert began. "You believe it’s OK, but (prescription drugs) are a temporary fix to a permanent problem? Is the
pain you're feeling really the problem? You have to ask the question,
because it could lead to death."
Stef hugged Burkert the way Aresenio Hall hugs all his guests, and
the resonating applause that followed created enthusiasm for the
cavalcade to follow. Dr. Stef then introduced a surprise guest who
knows the experience of losing a Local member, as well as the other
side of how peer assistance saves lives.
"I heard the bad stuff but I didn’t buy into it. Cop 2 Cop - I didn’t
believe in it,” Marc Kovar, the Passaic Local 14 State Delegate, said,
his voice growing softer to almost a whisper. Then, my partner of
four years killed himself. A few years later, one of my friends called
me on a Saturday afternoon and said he had a gun to his head. I
called Dr. Stef, and the kid is still alive.”
IN NEED OF TREATMENT OR HELP?
Dr. Eugene Stefanelli
Dr. Michael Bizzaro
Cop2Cop Hotline:
Hotline: 732-609-3554
Cell: 973-768-5300
Hotline: 800-242-2550
Cell: 732-771-7165
1-866-COP-2COP (267-2267)
Stef noted that understanding the power of being a peer liaison
makes you speak from the heart. And then, not coincidentally, he
brought Cherie Castellano, director of Cop 2 Cop, to the stage.
Castellano has spent years studying the effects of trauma, and she
has become the passionate advocate for the Question-PersuadeRefer method of helping department members who show signs of
contemplating