SELECTED RESOURCES ON MENTAL HEALTH,
SUBSTANCE MISUSE, AND COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (Minnesota)
651-646-5590; 877-525-6466 (toll-free)
https://mnlcl.org; [email protected]; https://www.facebook.com/mnlcl.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is the provider of Minnesota’s Lawyers Assistance Program for lawyers, judges, law students, non-attorney legal professionals and their immediate family members. We offer free, confidential help with addictions, mental health disorders, chronic stress, personal and career-related issues, or any issue causing stress or distress in their life. Our services include 24-hour crisis response; professional clinical assessments and referrals; interventions; short-term counseling; support groups facilitated by licensed counselors; peer mentoring and support; and education.
Sandcreek EAP
612-430-3383; 888-243-5744 (toll-free)
https://allonehealth.com/allone-health-locations/sandcreekeap/
LCL’s Employee Assistance Program partner hosts a website with articles and resources in many areas. Go to https://allonehealth.com/allone-health-locations/sandcreekeap/ and click on “MEMBER PORTAL & APP” to use or create your account. Use the Company Code “lawyers” when creating your account.
U.S. Surgeon General
“Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health”
The full report is available at the link below. You may also access an Executive Summary, a Vision for the Future, and find related resources.
https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org The Minnesota chapter website is https://namimn.org.
NAMI has information on various mental illnesses, including ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders, Depression, Eating Disorders, OCD, PTSD, and others. There are also national and local support resources. A comprehensive Adult Mental Health Resource Guide is at https://namimn.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2019/12/NAMIHopeForRecoveryBookletRevised11-19FINAL.pdf
American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org
This site offers numerous resources on many mental health and wellness topics.
Make it OK
https://makeitok.org/
“Make It OK” is a campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illness. It is committed to changing hearts and minds about the misperceptions of mental illnesses by encouraging open conversations and education on the topic.
Help Guide
https://www.helpguide.org/
This website is operated by a nonprofit dedicated to bringing evidence-based information about mental health to the general public.
Minnesota Recovery Connection
https://minnesotarecovery.org/
MRC provides peer support and advocacy to support recovery. The site includes a very comprehensive list of resources. https://minnesotarecovery.org/resources_search/
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) supports lawyer assistance efforts nationwide. This includes conducting and supporting research.
A recent ABA CoLAP and Hazelden Betty Ford joint study provides updated information on substance use, mental health, and help-seeking behaviors. Krill, Patrick, Johnson, Ryan, Albert, Linda, “The Prevalence Of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys,” Journal of Addiction Medicine: Jan./Feb. 2016. https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/Fulltext/2016/02000/The_Prevalence_of_Substance_Use_and_Other_Mental.8.aspx.
“The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change” is a follow-up report that offers strategies and guidance for multiple stakeholders to change the legal profession’s culture. https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/images/abanews/ThePathToLawyerWellBeingReportRevFINAL.pdf.
A well-being toolkit released in August 2018 provides general guidance and a workbook with a wide variety of exercises. https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/lawyer_assistance/ls_colap_well-being_toolkit_for_lawyers_legal_employers.authcheckdam.pdf
This ABA Template provides guidance to legal employers. https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/lawyer_assistance/well-being-template-for-legal-employers-final-3-19.pdf.
Numerous articles are linked at https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/ for lawyer assistance resources and information across the country.
Other Lawyers Assistance Programs
Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs) are available nationwide. Some are independent, some are under the auspices of the court, and some are part of the bar association. They are listed at https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lap_programs_by_state/
Minnesota Courts
The Minnesota Supreme Court hosted a Well-Being Call to Action conference in February 2019. Materials, including keynote videos, are at: https://www.mncourts.gov/lawyer-well-being.aspx.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) [clearinghouse for alcohol and drug information]
https://www.samhsa.gov
This federal agency has information for individuals seeking help, professionals, and researchers.
Recovery Month
https://www.samhsa.gov:443/recovery-month
SAMHSA sponsors this annual event held every September. It features events and resources for those with substance use issues and those who care about them.
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
Public Policy Statement: Definition of Addiction – https://www.asam.org/quality-care/definition-of-addiction. This includes short and extended statements as well as frequently asked questions.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/
NIAAA supports and researches the impact of alcohol use on human health and well-being.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
https://nida.nih.gov/
This division of the National Institutes of Health provides information on the science of drug and alcohol addiction. There are links to a wide variety of substances. An excellent pamphlet, “The Science of Addiction,” is available by mail or PDF download in English or Spanish.
National Institute of Mental Health.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. Resources, fact sheets, and other downloadable information on all facets of mental health are available. The NIMH is one of the National Institutes of Health.
International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG)
https://www.icrg.org/
ICRG is a nonprofit group funding scientific research on gambling addiction. The mission of this organization is to help people with gambling addictions.
Rob Weiss resources on sexual compulsivity
https://www.robertweissmsw.com/
This site has a blog and many other resources related to intimacy, sex and love addiction, and gender differences.
Mayo Clinic Stress Management Resources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495
Authentic Happiness
https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/home
This site provides numerous resources and self-assessments related to Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive.
“The Practice of Being: Mastering Stress & Finding Meaning as a Lawyer”
This article by attorney and coach Dyan Williams discusses mindfulness, acceptance and authenticity. Originally published in Bench & Bar; LCL archives this resource at https://mnlcl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/67BenchBMinn26.pdf
Online Resources Focused on Lawyers
Lawyers with Depression
https://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/
Daniel Lukasik, a lawyer who has experienced depression, created this comprehensive resource devoted to providing support and information for lawyers facing depression.
Lawyers Depression Project
https://www.lawyersdepressionproject.org
The Lawyers Depression Project is a group of legal professionals (attorneys, paralegals, law students, and admin) who have suffered from depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse, addiction, and other mental health conditions, or who just don’t feel quite right.
The Anxious Lawyer
https://jeenacho.com
Jeena Cho, one of the authors of The Anxious Lawyer, actively blogs offering tips for reducing anxiety through mindfulness.
Lawyer Mental Health and Ethical Issues
The Chemically Impaired Lawyer: A Malpractice Insurance Company’s Perspective, Molly Eiden and Todd C. Scott, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual (2018). https://www.mlmins.com/Library/The%20Chemically%20Impaired%20Lawyer.pdf
“Ethics and Lawyer Well-Being,” Joseph Balkenbush, Oklahoma Bar Counsel. https://www.okbar.org/barjournal/dec2017/obj8833balkenbush/
“[Lawyer] Anxiety, Self-Protective Behavior, Ethical Sinkholes, and Professional Responsibility” Dan DeFoe, originally published on psycholawlogy.com, currently archived at https://mnlcl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ethical-sinkhole.pdf This article discusses the connection between anxiety and ethical choices.
“Lawyer Seeks Treatment. Boss Seeks Assurance,” Todd C. Scott, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual website, https://www.mlmins.com/Pages/Articles/Lawyer-Seeks-Treatment.-Boss-Seeks-Assurance..aspx, last visited 7/9/2021.
“The Lawyer, the Addict,” Eilene Zimmerman, New York Times, July 15, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/15/business/lawyers-addiction-mental-health.html
“Lawyer well-being and lawyer regulation,” Susan M. Humiston, Bench & Bar, December 2017. http://lprb.mncourts.gov/articles/Articles/Lawyer%20well-being%20and%20lawyer%20regulation.pdf
“Lawyer Well-Being: It’s an Ethics Issue, Too,” Joshua A. Klarfeld, Professionalism Perspectives, vol. 19, no. 2. https://attorneyethicscounsel.com/2017/12/05/the-legal-ethics-of-lawyer-wellness/
“Lawyers weigh in: How to prevent stress, substance misuse and depression in the profession,” Dina Roth Port, ABA Journal, June 5, 2018. https://www.abajournal.com/voice/article/lawyers_weigh_in_how_to_prevent_stress_substance_abuse_and_depression
“The Legal Ethics of Lawyer Wellness,” Daniel O’Rielly, https://attorneyethicscounsel.com/2017/12/05/the-legal-ethics-of-lawyer-wellness/
“The most terrifying part of my drug addiction? That my law firm would find out.” Lisa F. Smith, The Washington Post, March 24, 2016. https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/03/24/the-most-terrifying-part-of-my-drug-addiction-that-my-law-firm-would-find-out/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.790fa49d08ed
“Why Are Lawyers So Unhappy? How do we stop accepting that misery and unhappiness must be part of our job description?” Jeena Cho, https://abovethelaw.com/2016/08/why-are-lawyers-so-unhappy/
Workplace Safety for Legal Professionals
“Are You Being Bullied?” Merrilyn Astin Tarlton, Attorney at Work website, originally posted August 30, 2012, updated September 22, 2020. https://www.attorneyatwork.com/are-you-being-bullied/
“Violence Against Attorneys and Judges: Protecting Yourself Before and After a Threat”
http://www.forensic-psych.com/articles/artAskexp06.php
“Fortress or Foyer? On Law Firm Security,” Todd C. Scott, MLM, Bench and Bar, August 2016; https://mnlcl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/73BenchBMinn24.pdf
“Keeping Oneself and Firm Members Safe from Violence,” Rick Hendrickson, Attorney At Law Magazine, June 15, 2020. https://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/keeping-oneself-and-firm-members-safe-from-violence
“Lawyering Can be a Dangerous Job,” Diane Curtis, California Bar Journal, March 2004. http://archive.calbar.ca.gov/archive/Archive.aspx?articleId=55060&categoryId=55077&month=3&year=2004
“You’re Being Bullied: Now What?” Merrilyn Astin Tarlton, Attorney at Work website, originally posted September 18, 2012, updated May 5, 2018. https://www.attorneyatwork.com/youre-being-bullied-now-what/
Online Resources – the following sites will direct you to other resources.
- https://namimn.org/support/ Frequently updated list of Minnesota support groups
- https://aaminneapolis.org – includes links to St. Paul and greater Minnesota sites
- https://www.al-anon-alateen-msp.org/
- https://womenforsobriety.org – includes online chat
- http://aaonline.org/ is one example of online AA meetings
- https://www.smartrecovery.org/ SMART Recovery
- https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- http://overeaters.org/; https://eatingdisordersanonymous.org/
- http://www.minnesotarecovery.info/OtherMN12StepGroups.htm
- https://saa-recovery.org/meetings/united-states/?state=MN Sex Addicts Anonymous
- https://www.allinahealth.org/health-conditions-and-treatments/grief-resources Dealing with grief
- https://recovered.org/ Recovered.org (formerly the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence)
- https://www.usnodrugs.com/ US No Drugs features a searchable directory of treatment centers and a glossary of common terms used in addiction research, reports, and treatment.
- https://www.addictionblog.org/ General information on addiction sponsored by the American Addiction Centers
Publications and Literature
The Anxious Lawyer: An 8-Week Guide to a Joyful and Satisfying Law Practice, Jeena Cho and Karen Gifford. The Anxious Lawyer provides a straightforward 8-week introductory program on meditation and mindfulness, created by lawyers for lawyers. The program draws on examples from Cho and Gifford’s professional and personal lives to create an accessible and enjoyable entry into practices that can reduce anxiety, improve focus and clarity, and enrich the quality of life.
King Baby, Tom Cunningham. Discusses the “King Baby” personality (the childish ego traits seen in people who have reached adulthood without acquiring emotional maturity), frequently associated with people with substance use disorders.
“Law Students and Lawyers with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems: Protecting the Public and the Individual,” Laura Rothstein, University of Pittsburgh Law Review, vol. 69:531 (2008). http://lawreview.law.pitt.edu/ojs/lawreview/article/download/106/106/0
“Mental Illness Is Far More Normal Than We Think,” Seth J. Gillihan Ph. D., Psychology Today blog (May 17, 2021), https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/202105/mental-illness-is-far-more-normal-we-think
“Reducing the Stigma: The Deadly Effect of Untreated Mental Illness and New Strategies for Changing Outcomes in Law Students,” Joan Bibelhausen, Katherine Bender, and Rachel Barrett, William Mitchell Law Review, vol. 41, no. 3 (2015). https://mnlcl.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reducing-the-Stigma-The-Deadly-Effect-of-Untreated-Mental-Illnes.pdf
Trauma and the Twelve Steps, Revised and Expanded: An Inclusive Guide to Enhancing Recovery, Jaime Marich