Lawyer Assistance Programs

Being an attorney or a judge is a challenging profession for a number of reasons. First of all, there can be long hours depending on the firm you are practicing in. Additionally, depending on the specialty, there can be secondary trauma as lawyers and judges are exposed to traumatic, sometimes horrifying details. And in the midst of these challenges, too many attorneys simply don’t know where to turn.

But help is available.

The LegalMind Society is committed to helping attorneys, judges, and law students find the support they need. As we continue to grow, we will be offering peer support groups and one-on-one peer sessions (more information on that to come!), but there are also other resources that lawyers can utilize.

Lawyer Assistance Programs, or LAPs (lawyers love their acronyms), are services that are available in every state. Usually offered through the state bar association, these services provide confidential mental health support to lawyers, law students, and judges.

Yet the stigma of mental illness is still a barrier for far too many lawyers. Add to that the stigma of seeking support from the same organization that maintains your license, and it is understandable why more members of the legal community don’t seek help. Yet these services are truly confidential and so important.

There is no shame in seeking help. Many of us in the legal profession have done it. And if you are considering utilizing a LAP, but don’t know where to start, the American Bar Association maintains a Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs, which is a wealth of information on the subject. Additionally, there is a state-by-state directory of LAPs for users to locate the one in their jurisdiction. So if you need support, reach out. There are people available to help.