Chapter 1: Introducing Professionalism and Legal Ethics / Chapter 6: The Lawyer's Duties to the Legal System, the Profession, and Nonclients / Teaching PR

New Study Out: The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys

Ellen MurphyLeave a comment
As a former Lawyer Assistance Program Executive Director at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyer in Massachusetts, I was distressed by the new study that reveals: (1) young lawyers are at an increased risk of problem drinking and mental health issues; and (2) overall these issues in the legal profession may be higher than previously thought.  The study was conducted jointly by the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

According to the study:
  • 21% of licensed, employed attorneys are problem drinkers;
  • 28% struggle with some level of depression; and
  • 19% demonstrate symptoms of anxiety.
Each semester, I take a few minutes in PR to address the availability of LAPs for lawyers and law students.  And, I include coverage of Rule 8.3 at the same time. If you’re interested in talking points, feel free to email me – murphyme@wfu.edu.  I also have had LAP staff and members speak with my class, with great success.  Video conferencing makes this even easier today.  In addition, CoLAP has a range of resources, including links to LAPs in each state, speaker lists, and articles.

More on the study from the ABA here; from the ABA Journal here; and from the NYTimes here.  A copy of the study from the Journal of Addition Medicine is available here.

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