The Lawyer Well-Being Project
The LACBA Lawyer Well-Being Project, launched and inspired by 2019-2020 LACBA President Ronald F. Brot, provides resources, programs, and outreach information about substance abuse and mental health issues and focuses on all aspects of lawyer well-being that help us maintain and thrive:
- Emotional
- Social
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Intellectual
- Occupational
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Substance Abuse, Addictions and Eating Disorders
Articles /Items of Interest/Features
General Links
American Bar Association
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lawyer_wellness
A wealth of information and help to advance the well-being of lawyers, including information for legal employers including Lawyers Assistance Programs and Working Group to Advance Well-Being in the Legal Profession.
https://lawyerwellbeing.net
A report on health and wellness in the law profession and connection to conferences, news, events, and resources.
Health and Wellness Resources Page -- CLA
https://calawyers.org/health-and-wellness
CLE on Mental Health and Wellness
www.law.com/2019/06/23/alm-mental-health-and-well-being-cles/
Connection to CLEs on health and wellness.
California State Bar's Senior Lawyer Resources
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Conduct-Discipline/Ethics/Senior-Lawyers-Resources
Resources addressing attorney professional responsibility issues relating to retirement, disability and death of attorneys
The State Bar of California Lawyer Assistance Program
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Attorney-Regulation/Lawyer-Assistance-Program/Resources
The Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) helps current and former attorneys, law students, and State Bar applicants dealing with mental health and/or substance use problems affecting their personal and professional lives.
Among other services, the State Bar of California offers two free hours to speak to a therapist and two free hours to speak to a career counselor for all members of the bar. Contact Jennifer Cantore at 213-765-1361 to arrange appointments.
LGBT Bar Association of LA Resources
https://lgbtqlawyersla.org/Resources_new
Local, national, and international organizations and resources are linked. This includes affinity organizations such as the Women’s Lawyer’s Association of Los Angeles.
Mental Health Resources
The State Bar of California Lawyer Assistance Program
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Attorney-Regulation/Lawyer-Assistance-Program/Resources
The Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) helps current and former attorneys, law students, and State Bar applicants dealing with mental health and/or substance use problems affecting their personal and professional lives.
Among other services, the State Bar of California offers two free hours to speak to a therapist and two free hours to speak to a career counselor for all members of the bar. Contact Jennifer Cantore at 213-765-1361 to arrange appointments.
Lawyers Depression Project
https://www.lawyersdepressionproject.org
The project provides small one-hour remote peer-to-peer support meetings for legal professionals (attorneys, paralegals, law students and admin) who have suffered from depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse, addition and other mental health conditions. The group also has a web forum and chat room.
Maple Center
https://www.tmcc.org/
The Maple Center was originally founded to address the substance use but has expanded into a full-service community mental health agency helping adults, children, teens, and adolescents on issues relating to substance use and mental health issues.
Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/ca/los-angeles
A directory of various support groups in the Los Angeles area.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
A 24/7 free and confidential hotline for those in distress. Suicide Prevention Lifeline also has prevention and crisis resources and best professional practice resources on their website.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
www.sprc.org
Contains information on suicide, prevention, links to resources and programs, trainings, new and highlights, and organizations.
Health Piper
healthpiper.com
A unique treatment model for depression and anxiety delivered remotely by psychiatrists. $199 for video chat evaluation. $99/month inclusive treatment price and $10/month for most medications they prescribe.
Mental Health Advocacy Services
http://mhas-la.org/
Mental Health Advocacy Services (MHAS) is a nonprofit organization providing free legal services to people with mental disabilities primarily in Los Angeles County. MHAS assists approximately 3,000 children and adults annually, with an emphasis on obtaining government benefits and services, protecting rights and fighting discrimination. MHAS also serves as a resource to the community by providing training and technical assistance to attorneys, mental health professionals, consumer and family member groups, and other advocates. In addition, MHAS participates in impact litigation to improve the lives of people with mental disabilities.
NAMI
https://www.nami.org/
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They actively educate the public, advocate for mental health rights of children, veterans and others, listen to those who need help with a 24/7 Hotline and lead with public awareness campaigns and events.
DMH (Department of Mental Health, LA County)
Mental health support (800) 854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741
DMH has an Emotional Support Line (ESL) open Sunday through Saturday, from 9:00am to 9:00pm. The number is the ACCESS number, 800-854-7771, Option #2. They provide emotional support and resources in the community.
https://www.headspace.com/
A mindfulness app with resources on sleep, stress, anxiety, meditation, and more. Costs 69.99$ per year.
Calm
https://www.calm.com/signup-flow
A mindfulness app for increasing self-esteem, better sleep, better performance, reducing stress and anxiety, increasing happiness, and more. Costs 70$ per year.
Talkspace
https://www.talkspace.com/
An app for online therapy with licensed therapists. Plans start at 65$ per week.
Lawyers with Depression
http://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/
Helpful website with links to a blog, podcasts, and resources./
Violence Intervention Program
323-221-4134
https://violenceinterventionprogram.org/
The mission of the Violence Intervention Program is to protect and treat all victims of family violence and sexual assault, and for 30 years, has been executing and expanding that vision.
Substance Abuse, Addictions, and Eating Disorders
The State Bar of California Lawyer Assistance Program
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Attorney-Regulation/Lawyer-Assistance-Program/Resources
The Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) helps current and former attorneys, law students, and State Bar applicants dealing with mental health and/or substance use problems affecting their personal and professional lives.
Among other services, the State Bar of California offers two free hours to speak to a therapist and two free hours to speak to a career counselor for all members of the bar. Contact Jennifer Cantore at 213-765-1361 to arrange appointments.
The Other Bar
https://otherbar.org/
A network of recovering lawyers and judges throughout the state of California, dedicated to assisting others within the profession who are suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems. The Other Bar is a private, non-profit corporation funded by members contributions and private donations. TOB is founded on the principle of anonymity and provides services in strict confidentiality. The program is voluntary and open to all California lawyers, judges and law students. Consultants help lawyers find weekly meetings, listed on the website. TOB has an annual retreat/conference for all lawyers, and separate men’s and women’s retreats. Online CLE programs re substance abuse.
Lawyer's LifeRing
www.lifering.org
LifeRing is a program of peer support groups for members of the legal community contemplating the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, free of drugs and alcohol.
Addiction Recovery Resources for Professionals
http://lapage.com/arr/
Information and self-diagnostics on addiction, information and resources.
Adult Children of Alcoholics®/ Dysfunctional Families
https://adultchildren.org/
Connection to information, resources, and meetings for children of alcoholics/dysfunctional families.
Alcoholics Anonymous of Southern California
https://www.aa.org/
Information on the AA program and connection to local meetings.
Al-Anon
https://al-anon.org/
Information, resources, and connections to meetings for friends and families of alcoholics.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov/find-help
Information, connection to resources, data, and news on addiction.
Gamblers Anonymous
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org
Connection to information, hotlines, and meetings.
Anorexia Nervosa & Associated (Eating) Disorders
http://www.anad.org/
Connection to news, information, resources, and support groups.
Sex Addicts Anonymous
https://saa-recovery.org/
Information, and connection to meetings and support groups.
Kleptomania Information: Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases:conditions/kleptomania/symptoms-causes/syc-20364732
Information on kleptomania.
Cleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous
https://theshulmancenter.com/casa-support-groups.html
Connection to information and meetings.
International Lawyers in Alcoholics Anonymous
https://www.ilaa.org/
International Lawyers in Alcoholics Anonymous is a group of recovered lawyers and judges carrying the message of recovery within the legal profession. Its purpose is to act as a bridge between reluctant (in denial) lawyers/judges and Alcoholics Anonymous. Has an annual convention.
Marijuana Anonymous
https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/
Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.
Betty Ford Center Los Angeles
https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/locations/betty-ford-center-los-angeles
Provides high quality in-patient and out-patient addiction and co-occurring mental health issues treatment. Has experience treating professionals and have programs suited to assisting working people. Also provide resources and education on their website.
List of Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in the LA area
https://www.drug-rehabs.org/California-Los_Angeles-drug-rehab-treatment.htm
LGBTQ+
The Alexis Project
https://violenceinterventionprogram.org/about-vip/our-programs/lgbtq/
A partnership between The Alexis Arquette Family Foundation and Violence Intervention Program (VIP) at the LAC+USC Medical Center, The Alexis Project is an extension of VIP’s hallmark medical, mental health and support programs targeted at the LGBTQ+ population.
LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
https://lgbtqlawyersla.org
Information, events, and connection to resources.
UCLA LGBT Center and Ashe Center
https://www.studenthealth.ucla.edu/services/lgbtq-health
https://www.lgbt.ucla.edu/
Resources and information for LGBTQ+ UCLA students and alumni. The Ashe Center offers comprehensive medical care with attention focused to LGBTQ+ care.
USC LGBT Center and Center for LGBT Health Equity
https://dworakpeck.usc.edu/research/centers-affiliations/center-for-lgbtq-health-equity-clhe
Offers resources and education on LGBTQ+ topics and an LGBTQ+ mentorship program, in addition to services for LGBTQ+ USC students and alumni.
Los Angeles LGBT Center
https://lalgbtcenter.org/
Provides resources and assistance including social services, housing, mental health, substance abuse, to members of LGBT community, and available to everyone. Services include leadership and civil rights advocacy, and lawyer volunteer opportunities to assist with legal issues.
Articles /Items of Interest/Features
Programs:
Attorneys Anonymous
The LACBA Lawyer Well-Being Project is hosting virtual meetings of Attorneys Anonymous. Attorneys Anonymous is a round table discussion, in small and large groups using Zoom, for participants to share absolutely anything they wish to with respect to the challenges, opportunities, joys and miseries of life as a lawyer with their lawyer colleagues. We thank Andrew Leventhal for starting these meetings, and Jill Switzer for her article published in Above the Law, A Reckoning for Mental Health in the Legal Profession. Jill describes the meeting as an attorney support group, a way to boost our mental health, and to feel free to discuss whatever is on our mind about the practice of law.
For information please contact:
Caroline Vincent
310.617.2042
cvincent@adrservices.com
or
Robin Sax, JD & MSW
424-402-1729
Robin@robinsax.com
