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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowDepression will affect more than 19 million Americans this year, and according to a Johns Hopkins University study lawyers have the highest rate of depression among the 28 occupations they reviewed.
Depression among lawyers is not a new phenomenon. President Abraham Lincoln suffered from depression his entire life.
There are resources for those seeking help for themselves or others. The Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program exists to provide such help, and their communication is confidential. They may be reached at 317-833-0370 or toll free at 866-428-5527. If a call to a peer is preferred, there is a list of attorney/judge volunteers on the JLAP website who are available to provide confidential assistance.
Bar associations from around the country have also posted online information about depression that is specific to the needs of the legal community. The Bar Association of Erie County has an informative video to help identify symptoms and provide solutions, and the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program has a similar video and materials, as well.
Members of the Indianapolis legal community in need of information are welcome to make a confidential inquiry to Julie Armstrong, IndyBar Executive Director. She may be reached at [email protected] or 317.269.2000. Lawyers are problem-solvers, but struggling with depression is not a problem anyone should try to solve alone. There’s help.•
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