RESOURCES FOR HELP

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255), National, Toll-Free, 24 Hours

Crisis Text Line
Need help? Text START to 741-741

Directory of State and Local Lawyer Assistance Programs, confidential services and support for judges, lawyers and law students facing substance use disorders or mental health issues. 

National Helpline for Judges Helping Judges
1-800-219-6474

National Resources

Economic Recovery Resources

Law Student ListServ
CoLAP maintains a confidential listserv for recovering law students. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Niki Irish at nirish@dcbar.org.

The International Lawyers in Alcoholics Anonymous (ILAA) holds online meetings each Monday at 8:00 p.m and 10:00 p.m. EST. Click here to join.

More Resources

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Recording and materials for: Charting a Sustainable Path Forward: What the ABA/Hazelden Betty Ford Study on Substance Use and Mental Health Means for the Future of the Profession

On September 15, 2016, the CoLAP and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation presented the results from their collaboration on a groundbreaking new research project that collected data on the current rates of substance use, depression and anxiety among licensed attorneys throughout the United States in an ABA CLE webinar. A free recording of the program, for CLE credit, will be available on October 6, 2016 here. The outline and handouts and the Powerpoint presentation are now available here. 

Program made possible through the generous support of the Fellows of the Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section

Winner of the 2016 Meritorious Service Award

The Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) is pleased to award the 2016 CoLAP Meritorious Service Award to Jane B. Grisé, Director of Academic Success and Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law, for her significant contributions to improving law student mental health and physical wellness. Under Grisé’s direction, the school implemented a wellness program that includes the Dean’s Challenge Program, an innovative competition that motivates students to develop healthy behaviors by awarding points – and prizes – for exercising and attending scheduled events on topics such as healthy eating, mindfulness and stress.

The 2016 Meritorious Service Award is presented on behalf of the CoLAP Law School Assistance Committee. Learn more about the Award, view past recipients and learn about the contributions of the other 2016 nominees here. 

The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys

In collaboration with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs has recently completed national research on lawyer impairment. This is a landmark study as never before has national data been gathered addressing both substance use and behavioral health concerns simultaneously. The survey examines alcohol use, substance abuse, mental health issues and help-seeking behaviors of lawyers. The results are compelling. The implications for the legal community are multifaceted and far reaching. Access the report in the Journal of Addiction Medicine here and click HERE for links to articles covering the study. 

CoLAP Member Tracy Kepler Receives Stellar Member Award

CoLAP Commission member Tracy Kepler is the recipient of the ABA Center for Professional Development's Stellar Member Award. The Stellar Member Award is given out each year to members who have made outstanding efforts to support ABA CLE initiatives.

Helping Law Students Get the Help They Need: An Analysis of Data Regarding Law Students’ Reluctance to Seek Help and Policy Recommendations for a Variety of Stakeholders 

This Bar Examiner article shares results from the Survey of Law Student Well-Being, the first survey to assess alcohol and drug use among law students since 1991. The study was administered with grants from the ABA Enterprise Fund and the Dave Nee Foundation and sponsorship in-part from CoLAP.

New Article from CoLAP Commission Member Linda Albert

Lawyer Assistance Programs: Advocating for a Systems Approach to Health and Wellness for Law Students and Legal Professionals was featured in the December 2015 issue of the Bar Examiner. 

Article from the CoLAP Senior Lawyers Committee

Concerns about Cognitive Impairment and Older Lawyers (ABA Senior Lawyers Division EXPERIENCE, Summer 2015)

ABA Approves New Policy - Limits Use of Mental Health-Related Inquiries for Bar Admission

On August 3rd, 2015, the House of Delegates approved Resolution 102 which calls for character and fitness questions to address conduct rather than treatment or diagnoses when inquiring into an applicant's mental health history. 

Lawyers in Transition

With assistance and input from CoLAP's Senior Lawyers Committee, the ABA Center on Professional Responsibility (CPR) has compiled resources related to end-of-career issues confronting lawyers. The new webpageincludes information and resources on topics such as succession planning, intervention, regulatory issues, senior/young lawyer opportunities and more. 

Mental Health Toolkit for Law Students

Two toolkits have been merged and updated into one digitized document, the new "Substance Abuse and Mental Health Toolkit for Law Students and Those Who Care About Them." The resource is a collaborative effort of CoLAP, the ABA Law Student Division, and the Dave Nee Foundation.