The ABA is committed to helping de-stigmatize mental health and substance use disorders in the legal profession. As part of its anti-stigma campaign, the Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs created this video featuring law students, lawyers, and a judge who openly talk about mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, alcoholism and drug addiction, recovery and the vital importance of asking for help.
Learn - MoreJudges, lawyers, and law students can receive confidential services and support for mental health, substance use, and other well-being issues through a Lawyer Assistance Program in each state. Our directory can help you locate these resources in your jurisdiction.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Toll-Free , 24 Hours; Crisis Test Line (Text HOME to 741-741); Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 212-870-3400; Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 818-773-9999.
More than 100 legal employers, law schools, and government agencies have signed the ABA’s Well-Being Pledge since it launched September 2018.
The Well-Being Toolkit for Lawyers and Legal Employers offers tools and practical guidance for legal employers who want to join the lawyer well-being movement by launching organizational initiatives. Also available is the Well-Being Toolkit Nutshell: 80 Tips For Lawyer Thriving, summarizing 80 of the Toolkit’s key items. The Toolkit was created by Anne Brafford, member of the ABA Working Group to Advance Well-Being in the Legal Profession.
Learn - MoreThe Well-Being Template for Legal Employers provides suggested guidelines to legal employers for responding to an employee who is experiencing impairment due to a substance use disorder, mental health disorder or cognitive impairment. The template is intended to serve as a tool that can be modified as needed to suit the individual employer.
“The Path to Law Student Well-Being" podcast series sets out action items for the legal community, including specific steps law schools can take, to shift the culture of the legal profession towards one that is focused on well-being.
Access - PodcastThe ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs Law School Assistance Committee surveyed over 100 law schools to assess the landscape of well-being initiatives in law schools across the country. A report on the survey highlights best practices and recommends several areas for improvement in better supporting law student well-being.
