The number of lawyers taking advantage of the State Bar of Georgia's free counseling service has jumped significantly in 2019 compared with the past two years.

Through June, 205 lawyers had called the confidential helpline offered by the bar's Lawyer Assistance Program, according to a bar spokeswoman. At this rate, 410 lawyers this year could access the service, which includes counselors available 24/7 by phone, up to six prepaid clinical sessions per calendar year and a program for assistance with such issues as child care, elder care and finances.

In all of 2017, only 203 lawyers sought help, according to the bar, while in 2018, the number was 272.

Asked about the increase, Lynn Garson of Baker & Hostetler who chairs the bar's Lawyer Assistance Committee, said, "I'd like to say we've had a shift in our culture," referring to ongoing efforts to end any stigma against lawyers who seek help.

Lynn Garson, counsel with Baker & Hostetler. Courtesy photo

Garson attributed the increase to the bar's efforts to tell bar members that the service is confidential—not linked in any way to the bar's discipline work—and available to them for free.

George Martin, the president and CEO of CorpCare Associates Inc., which operates the service, said he's noticed in the past two years "a special effort to demystify" counseling services around the country. His group has worked with the Georgia bar since 2010.

Mental health in the legal community has drawn more attention in recent years, especially since the American Bar Association and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation reported in 2016 that 21% of licensed, employed attorneys qualify as problem drinkers, 28% struggle with some level of depression and 19% demonstrate symptoms of anxiety.

Lisa Hardy, CorpCare's vice president, said the concerns of callers to the Georgia bar helpline "truly run the gamut."

Emphasizing that CorpCare does not share names or other identifying information about callers to the bar, she said the most common issues addressed in the calls are emotional concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief and anger; stress; and relationships.

The calls can lead to individual counseling sessions and, among other things, help assisting access to hospital or more structured programs.

The bar said the program costs about $63,000 per year, or about $1.25 per member.

Garson said she wished the program could help law students or others in the legal community, but court rulings restrict how bar associations in states where lawyers are required to join can spend their money.

"I'd move heaven and earth to change that," she said.

The Lawyer Assistance Program's confidential helpline is 800-327-9631.

Here are two resources available to anyone:

• The Georgia Crisis and Access helpline, a free, 24/7 service providing mental health crisis assistance and access to mental health resources throughout the state of Georgia, is 800-715-4225.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255.