The number of lawyers taking advantage of the State Bar of Georgia's free, confidential counseling service stayed unusually high through 2019.

The bar's Lawyer Assistance Committee said 409 lawyers called into the service last year—up from 203 in 2017 and 272 in 2018.

The pace in 2019 was remarkably consistent, as 205 had used the service through the year's halfway point at the end of June.

"We're glad to be able to help," said Lynn Garson, who chairs the committee. "Maybe, bit by bit, the stigma [of getting help for mental health issues] is lightening."

The free service includes counselors available 24/7 by phone, up to six prepaid clinical sessions per calendar year and a referral program for assistance with such issues as child care, elder care and finances. It is run by a third-party contractor, CorpCare, that does not share names or other identifying information about callers to the bar.

A 2016 study by the American Bar Association and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation found that "the most common barriers for attorneys to seek help were fear of others finding out and general concerns about confidentiality."

The same study reported that 21% of licensed, employed attorneys qualify as problem drinkers, 28% struggle with some level of depression, and 19% demonstrate symptoms of anxiety.

Other studies have said attorneys are at far greater risk to die by suicide than other professionals.

On Tuesday, April 28, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates will moderate a three-hour continuing legal education program on suicide awareness. The event, presented by the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, will occur at the bar's downtown Atlanta headquarters, but lawyers will be able to view the program at satellite viewing stations around the state. More information can be found here.

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.