So this particular blog is coming about because mental health is stigmatized by the general population and even so much more when it comes to attorneys. We don't tend to want to ask for help. Just like everyone else, attorneys are in fact victims of mental health. This is true in many different circumstances, not just depression and anxiety but also alcohol or drug dependence or even these attorneys are in situations that are toxic such as work environments or even relationships. I'm going break this down and give everyone some resources to help. I am NOT a psychologist or psychiatrist. I do not have a degree is psychology or sociology. What I am is a lawyer who deals with my own mental health, is very very supportive of the Illinois lawyers assistance program, and have dealt personally with some of the mental health of others.
First for attorneys you should know you aren't alone. Many attorneys have depression, anxiety, dependence, or work in toxic environments. Younger attorneys come out of law school to people talking down to them and being rude. They then think that they aren't good enough and get down on themselves. The fact is that the longer we practice the more we need to help and encourage young attorneys. We don't have to take it easy on them in court, but you can still be nice to them. Bullying is not the way, especially right now. Many new attorneys are facing more uncertainties than we have. It's not just something that is going to help the young attorney but I promise you, you will also feel good helping someone else. I can honestly say that I have some of the best attorneys that have helped me, especially in the hardest times. Shout out to Leslie Wood, Paul Evans, and Steve Adamsky. You can do that for another attorney.
According to https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/alarming-alcoholism-rate-lawyers/, lawyers are one of the professions that are hit hard by drug and alcohol abuse. If you click the link it will take you to the article which speaks to the American Bar Association's study on this. What I will say is that 21% of the attorneys that participated in this study had problems with alcohol but that 36% were problem drinkers. That is only a small percentage that was participating in the study. Now, you have to answer questions about how much you drink in a study that you know is going to the American Bar Association, how many people do you think under reported their drinking. This is a huge issue! In Illinois the Lawyers Assistance Program is holding Alcohol Anonymous Meetings via Zoom. I am sure that many attorneys are afraid to report to the Lawyers Assistance Program because won't they just report you to the ARDC. Well they aren't supposed to. Please if you feel like you may fall under this please please please contact the Lawyers' Assistance Program.
Now, here are some statistics I am so confused at. When it comes to lawyers, over a quarter of lawyers state they have some form of depression. The numbers for lawyers who admit to anxiety are lower and the lawyers that admit to feeling stressed is even lower. While these are relatively low, these are higher than in the past. My question is...... you're an attorney and you aren't stressed? What is your secret? Please send me your secret. As attorneys, especially ones in family law, we can get thrown into our cases. It may sound silly, but I get stressed because I care about the outcome of my client's cases. People who don't, well that just is strange to me. Maybe they are super laid back, or maybe those people are the ones that have the alcohol problems stated above. The Lawyers Assistance program offers counseling. I very much appreciate that, however, there is one minor problem with the Lawyers Assistance program. The one minor problem is that there are no offices in the southern part of Illinois. There are two Cook County offices, Dupage County office, Rock Island and the farthest south being Bloomington. This does not provide enough resources for attorneys down south and I really hope that the Lawyers Assistance Program will bring the help down here. With that said, counselor's are also great and psychologists/psychiatrists can also help. If you need help seek help please.
I have seen too many attorneys lately posting that a colleague or another attorney known has committed suicide. Sometimes this can be because of the stress of cases, the stress of clients, or toxic work environments. Part of law school is pitting students against other students (hence the grade on the curve.) This doesn't just go away when we graduate law school. Many firms pit their own attorneys against other attorneys in their firm. This sometimes makes for an extremely hostile work environment. I'm sorry but this is not conducive to an attorneys mental health. When attorneys are afraid to go into work every day to the point that they are physically ill, you do not have a good work environment. I understand. Sometimes you need to stay in the work environment because you need a job. Please don't let it get you down. Talk to someone. There are many people who have been through the same thing and will help you through it.
Lastly I want to point you all to the LAP website which is linked here. I also want you to know that LAP IS CONFIDENTIAL!!!!!!!!!!! This is not an organization that is going to turn around and turn you into the ARDC. LAP wants anyone who needs it to get help. Also, I am going to attached the phone number and website for the suicide hotline. Do not feel like no one is here for you and do not feel like people don't care. As attorneys we care about each other and we want anyone who needs help to get the help.
Lawyers Assistance Program: https://illinoislap.org/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 and https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
We want you around for the future because everyone has a story to tell and a lesson to teach.
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