Lawyer Use of Free Counseling Is Steady During Pandemic
The counselors "are equipped to handle anything," said Lynn Garson, who chairs the Lawyer Assistance Committee.
July 29, 2020 at 02:28 PM
3 minute read
The pace of calls to the State Bar of Georgia's free, confidential lawyer assistance hotline during the first six months of 2020 matched those of the previous year, despite a pandemic that has shut down courthouses and schools, led to salary cuts, forced lawyers to work from home and upended countless other aspects of life.
Through July 23, according to the bar's Lawyer Assistance Committee, 219 bar members called the hotline, where they can speak with a counselor. That figure lines up with last year, when 205 lawyers called between January and June, and 204 called between July and December.
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. The number, 800-327-9631, is run by a third-party contractor, CorpCare, that does not share names or other identifying information about callers to the bar.
Of the calls this year, 64% dealt with emotional issues, 14% dealt with marital issues, 6% dealt with work-related issues, and 5% dealt with family issues, according to the committee.
The counselors "are equipped to handle anything," said Lynn Garson, who chairs the Lawyer Assistance Committee.
She added that her committee's website explains what happens when someone calls the hotline. That information includes this note: "If you decide that you aren't connecting as well as you'd like with your counselor, you can call the LAP Hotline again and be referred to another professional. The goal is for you to find someone with whom you feel comfortable."
Garson also said counselors can help callers seeking in-patient treatment for addiction or other situations find appropriate facilities.
The Lawyer Assistance Committee also runs Lawyers Helping Lawyers, a program for attorneys to talk with peers who have experienced about a common problem—ranging from handling the stress of a solo practice to coping with various emotional issues. Garson said more than 40 lawyers have volunteered and trained to speak with other lawyers regarding a variety of circumstances. Information on the program can be found at https://georgialhl.org/.
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.
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. More information can be found at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
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