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Lawyers Concerned for One Another

By Matthew Foli posted 08-29-2016 12:56 PM

  
If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with substance abuse, depression or anxiety, help is available. Let's pay attention to one another and reach out when help is needed, writes attorney Matthew Foli.

Solo and small firm lawyers have a reputation for being supportive of each other.  Thepotential for problems borne of isolation can create additional risks. If you are using alcohol or other substances to cope with the stress of the profession, there are ways to get help. If you are using alcohol or other substances to cope with the stress of the profession, there are ways to get help. If you have mental health concerns, there are ways to get help.  

In February 2016, a landmark study was published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, called “The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys.” The study was funded by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs. A link to the study is here.

 
The sample size consisted of 12,825 licensed, employed attorneys. Among the findings:

  • 20.6% of respondents met criteria for alcohol use disorder.
  • Men reported higher rates of depression and women reported higher rates of anxiety and stress.
  • Overall the rate of depression was 28% and anxiety was 19%.
  • 11.5% reported suicidal thoughts at some time during their careers.
  • The rates of mental health and substance issues were significantly higher in respondents 30 years old and younger or who had worked in the profession for 10 or fewer years. This is contrary to earlier studies where the levels increased with longevity in the profession and age.
  • Distress occurs in every type of job. Newer attorneys in law firms reported the highest overall rate.
  • Barriers to seeking help included “not wanting to find out they needed help” and “concerns regarding privacy or confidentiality.”

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) provides a free, confidential Lawyers AssistanceProgram for Minnesota lawyers, judges, law students and their immediate family members. This program offers help to those affected by alcohol, drugs and other addictions; depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses; stress and other life-related problems; and any condition which negatively affects the quality of one’s life at work or at home.
 
Regarding your use of alcohol, is there a problem?
The CAGE questionnaire (based on key words in the questions) is a quick tool to assess whether there may be a problem.

  • Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
  • Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
  • Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
  • Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye opener)?
Regarding mental health, is there a problem?

These questions address depression and anxiety.  In the past 2 weeks have you:

  • Been feeling very tired, sad, blue, irritable or depressed?
  • Lost interest and pleasure in things you usually care about?
  • Had difficulty concentrating, remembering or deciding?
  • Felt unusual panic or worrying?
  • Have you ever considered suicide?
Lawyers don’t ask for help because they don’t want others to know they may have aproblem. That’s stigma and it keeps us from asking for or offering the help we need and that would benefit many of us. We seek a weakness in each other’s positions on legal matters and we fear that our opponent will zero in on any weakness in us. We can make a difference by recognizing that zealous lawyering does not mean taking advantage of a colleague who may be struggling. We can make a difference by paying attention to each other and reaching out when we’re concerned. LCL can coach any lawyer on how to reach out to someone they may be concerned about (colleagues or family members), and LCL can talk to you confidentially and nonjudgmentally about concerns you have for yourself.
 
Let’s remember that we may have a condition or a diagnosis, but we are not that condition or diagnosis. As a profession, we are accustomed to being reactive, not proactive. Someone must have a legal need for us to have work. We give advice but are reluctant and sometimes even ashamed to ask for it, to ask for what we need and deserve. By reaching out when there is a concern, you may help save a career, a family or a life. It may be your own.

This blog post is based on an article written by Matthew Foli, Chair of the Council for the MSBA Real Property Law Section, and originally distributed as e-news for members of the section.

LCL offers a Common Experiences program for lawyers, judges, law students, and family members. May’s topic is “We’re at Risk: Cumulative Stress, Vicarious Trauma and Resilience.”  The program is free of charge.
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