NH Lawyers Assistance Program

Background

The research on lawyer and judicial well-being highlights
the prevalence of burnout, anxiety, depression, and unhealthy or hazardous
alcohol use. According to a recent study conducted by NORC at the University of
Chicago and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Massachusetts (LCL), most
Massachusetts lawyers (77%) reported being burned out from their work. Within
the last three years, nearly half indicated they considered leaving or have
left their employer or the legal profession entirely due to burnout or stress.4
NHLAP data and strategic planning focus group survey results are consistent
with these findings. The New Hampshire impact suggests over 3,000 legal
professionals suffer from an actual diagnosis that requires professional
clinical intervention and treatment. 

 Further cause for concern is that, primarily due to stigma,
legal professionals are not seeking help for mental health issues and even less
often for hazardous or unhealthy alcohol use. Stigma, time constraints, and
punitive concerns prevent lawyers from seeking mental health care (Lawyer
Well-Being in Massachusetts, Final Report 2023). Understanding these barriers,
NHLAP increased outreach activities to have greater visibility and presence. As
a result, NHLAP experienced a 67% increase in professionals served in the
fiscal year 2023 compared to the previous fiscal year.

 In 2023,  NHLAP has more than doubled the requests for
training and resources to address the wide gambit of well-being issues facing
the NH legal community.

 The NHLAP is one of sixty-five (65) international Lawyers' Assistance Programs dedicated to supporting members of the legal profession with personal and professional concerns that compromise a well-being. "LAPs do it all, not only as to wellness support, but also as to the very important "heavy lifting" of professional clinical services to the 30% of the profession that suffers from actual diagnoses that require professional clinical intervention, treatment, and sometimes monitoring to support fitness to practice, etc.

 LAPs have the confidentially, experience, resources, peer volunteers, collaboration, expertise, unlimited access to services, and the support of stakeholders that is necessary to meet all of the demanding mental health needs of legal professionals," – J.E. "Buddy" Stockwell
III, Executive Director of the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program.

How to help:

The NHLAP hopes to raise $5,000 this giving day for the purpose of delivering better direct-to-client services. A strong majority of lawyers and judges seeking assistance prefer to meet in person. As such, we would be honored to host our clients in a more welcoming and relaxing space. Improvements we have in mind include purchasing additional reading materials, stocking snacks and drinks for anyone who comes into the office, new privacy shades, a nice paint job, more comfortable furniture, and a speaker to play calming music.

If you have ever remodeled a room in your home, you know it is a daunting task. You probably also know how much of a difference it can make on your physical and mental well-being. We want to pass these dramatic improvements on to clients who visit us so that a trip to the NHLAP is something to look forward to.