Legal Career Coaches

Lawyer mental health: where to get confidential help

By the editors of Legal Career Coaches Updated October 14, 2026 8 minute read

The short answer

Every lawyer in the United States has a place to start. According to the American Bar Association, confidential help is available to every judge, lawyer, and law student through a free lawyer assistance program in their state, separate from the disciplinary system [1]. A licensed therapist or doctor can assess and treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. A coach can help with work and career decisions but does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions.

Counts in this guide come from the 198 listings in this directory, computed October 16, 2026. Sources are listed at the end.

Contents
  1. § 1 How common are attorney mental health problems?
  2. § 2 What is a lawyer assistance program?
  3. § 3 Is it confidential, and will it affect my license?
  4. § 4 Therapist, doctor, coach or lawyer assistance program: who does what?
  5. § 5 Can you practice law with a mental health condition?
  6. § 6 Drinking and drug use
  7. § 7 Worried about a colleague?
  8. § 8 Where coaching fits
  9. Questions
  10. Sources

In crisis now? Call or text 988 [2], the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is free and confidential [3] and answers at any hour. If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911 [4].

§ 1 How common are attorney mental health problems?

Common. In the ABA’s national study with Krill Strategies, 21.7% [5] of lawyers met the threshold for moderate to extremely severe depression symptoms, 20.4% [6] for anxiety and 18.9% [7] for stress. The study analyzed responses from about 37,000 lawyers [8]. Beyond those findings, 41.8% [9] screened positive for risky drinking and 47.4% [10] for high burnout.

In the 2016 ABA and Hazelden Betty Ford study [11], 11.5% [12] of lawyers reported suicidal thoughts at some point in their careers. If you are having thoughts of suicide now, call or text 988 [2], at any hour. According to SAMHSA, there is hope, and free, confidential support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works [13]. Your state’s lawyer assistance program can help too.

These are survey results, not diagnoses. They show how widespread distress is. They cannot tell you what is going on with you; a doctor or licensed therapist can.

§ 2 What is a lawyer assistance program?

A lawyer assistance program, or LAP, is a confidential program for judges, attorneys and law students. In the ABA’s words, LAPs provide confidential services and support to judges, lawyers and law students who are facing substance use disorders or mental health issues [14]. The National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being described the work this way: lawyer assistance programs' services are confidential, and many include prevention, intervention, evaluation, counseling, referral to professional help, and on-going monitoring [15]. And many lawyer assistance programs cover burnout and chronic stress, as well as substance use and mental health disorders [16], so you do not need an addiction to call.

Names vary by state. Massachusetts has Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers [17], for example, and South Carolina has Lawyers Helping Lawyers [18]. Find yours in the ABA directory of lawyer assistance programs.

What you get varies by state. Common services include:

  • A free assessment. California’s program offers a free assessment of your situation [19] and help getting the care you need.
  • A few free counseling sessions. South Carolina’s program offers members five free counseling sessions per year [20], and Oklahoma’s offers up to six hours of free short-term, problem-focused or crisis counseling [21].
  • Referrals. When you need more, programs refer you to a therapist, a doctor or a treatment program.
  • Peer support. Many programs connect you with lawyers who volunteer to help colleagues. Oklahoma’s, for example, can refer you to a peer mentor who can work with you on specific issues [22].

Some services cost money. California’s program says some short-term services are free, but if you join a group or need additional services, fees may apply [23], and a therapist or treatment program you are referred to may charge too, so check your health plan.

Most lawyers know these programs exist. In the ABA study, 75.2% [24] were aware of them. What holds people back is fear and time: 53.3% [25] named confidentiality as a barrier to seeking help, 49.2% [26] named reputation and 34.5% [27] named lack of time.

§ 3 Is it confidential, and will it affect my license?

A voluntary call is confidential, and the ABA describes state programs as separate from the disciplinary system. How your state handles licensing questions is worth asking the program directly.

Fear for the license keeps many lawyers away. The Task Force wrote that lawyers are reluctant to seek help for mental health and substance use disorders for fear that doing so might negatively affect their licenses [28]. It helps to know how the protections work:

  • Voluntary help and monitoring are different services. A number of programs also provide services to lawyer discipline and admissions processes, such as monitoring and drug and alcohol screening [29]. California’s, for example, offers both voluntary confidential services and monitored services [30]. In a monitoring role, a program reports on your compliance, so ask which service you are using.
  • Under the ABA’s model rule, lawyers you meet through the program do not have to report you. A lawyer who learns something while taking part in an approved program, such as a volunteer who helps you, is not required to report it as misconduct: the rule does not require disclosure of information gained by a lawyer or judge while participating in an approved lawyers assistance program [31]. Each state adopts its own rules of professional conduct, so the wording where you practice may differ.
  • The confidentiality itself comes from the program’s rules and state law. The model rules do not make what you tell a program confidential; the ABA’s comment says that duty may come from the rules of the program or other law [32].

Before you share details, ask the program three questions. Who will know that I called? What gets written down? When, if ever, do you share information with anyone? If you have a question about your license or a bar application, ask the program how your state handles it. This guide cannot answer that for your state.

§ 4 Therapist, doctor, coach or lawyer assistance program: who does what?

Question Lawyer assistance program Therapist or doctor Coach
Who they are A confidential program for judges, lawyers and law students Licensed clinicians Professionals in an unlicensed field
Diagnosis and treatment Many offer evaluation, counseling and referrals Yes No
Cost to you Free to call; some services cost Depends on your health plan Paid by you, sometimes by your employer
Good for A confidential first call, substance use, support and referrals Symptoms that affect your daily life Workload, boundaries and career decisions

Therapists and doctors. Therapy is a licensed profession: all states require mental health counselors to be licensed [33]. Psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatrists also treat mental health conditions, and a primary care doctor can help you find care. Finding a therapist for lawyers can start with your lawyer assistance program, which can refer you. Then ask any therapist you consider whether they work with lawyers or other high-pressure professionals.

Coaches. The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential [34]. That is not treatment: the ICF itself says coaching is not psychology and does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe medication [35]. The title is also unregulated: anyone can call themselves a coach [36]. A coach helps with the work side of things: hours, boundaries, a conversation with a supervisor, or a move. Some coaches are also licensed therapists. Under standard 3.7 [37] of the ICF Code of Ethics, an ICF coach must tell clients when acting in a role other than coach. A coach’s listing in this directory shows any credentials confirmed from the coach’s own website.

Burnout sits in between. The World Health Organization classifies it as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition [38], and coaching can address the work side of it. But burnout and mental health symptoms are tightly linked: in the ABA study, higher work-related burnout was the dominant predictor of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms [39]. If you are burned out and your mood, sleep or drinking has changed, see a clinician as well as, or before, a coach. The lawyer burnout guide covers signs, causes and next steps.

§ 5 Can you practice law with a mental health condition?

Yes. Many practicing lawyers have had mental health concerns. In the 2016 ABA and Hazelden Betty Ford study [11] of 12,825 licensed, employed attorneys [40], 61.1% [41] reported concerns with anxiety and 45.7% [42] concerns with depression at some point in their legal careers, and 12.5% [43] reported concerns with ADHD.

The law also protects employees. The EEOC says that if you have depression, PTSD or another mental health condition, you are protected against discrimination and harassment at work because of your condition, you have workplace privacy rights, and you may have a legal right to reasonable accommodations that can help you perform and keep your job [44]. A law firm partner may not count as an employee, so a partner should check the partnership agreement.

If you worry about how a diagnosis, medication or treatment could affect your license, a bar application or your job, ask your lawyer assistance program before you assume the worst. A voluntary call is confidential. For ADHD, a coach who specializes in it can help with systems and routines alongside clinical care: see the ADHD and neurodiversity coaches.

§ 6 Drinking and drug use

Alcohol is a large part of the picture. In the ABA study, 41.8% [9] of lawyers screened positive for risky drinking, and 20.5% [45] said stress from the profession had increased their alcohol or other drug use. Yet only 2.3% [46] reported a current alcohol use disorder diagnosis. The ABA calls this a large gap between identified risk and self-reported diagnosis, which may reflect barriers to acknowledging alcohol-related problems or seeking help [47].

Lawyer assistance programs handle substance use, confidentially. SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) [48], is a free, confidential treatment referral and information service, in English and Spanish, for people facing mental or substance use disorders.

§ 7 Worried about a colleague?

Call your state’s lawyer assistance program. It takes these calls: according to the ABA, you can contact your state or local program when someone you know needs help, not only for yourself [49], and intervention is part of what many programs do. You are probably not the only one who has noticed: in the ABA study, 57% [50] of lawyers reported observing mental health or substance use problems among colleagues. If you talk to the person, do it privately, say what you have seen without judging, and offer the program’s number or the crisis line. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911 [4].

§ 8 Where coaching fits

Coaching does not replace treatment, but it can help with the work that wears you down: hours, boundaries, a hard conversation with a supervisor, or a move to a different job or out of law. The burnout and well-being coaches page lists every coach in this directory who works with lawyers on burnout, stress and well-being, 73 so far. You can also read how to choose a career coach or answer three questions to find coaches who fit.

Questions

What is Lawyers Helping Lawyers?

It is the name some states give their lawyer assistance program. South Carolina’s is called Lawyers Helping Lawyers [18], and Massachusetts has Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers [17]. The name reflects how many of these programs work: alongside professional counselors, lawyers volunteer to support colleagues, and Oklahoma’s program can refer you to a peer mentor who can work with you on specific issues [22]. Whatever the name, the ABA keeps a directory of every state’s program.

Do lawyer assistance programs cost anything?

Calling costs nothing. According to the ABA, confidential help is available to every judge, lawyer, and law student through a free lawyer assistance program in their state, separate from the disciplinary system [1]. At many programs, free help means an assessment or a few counseling sessions; South Carolina’s program, for example, offers members five free counseling sessions per year [20]. Some programs charge for more: California’s says some short-term services are free, but if you join a group or need additional services, fees may apply [23]. A therapist or treatment program you are referred to may also charge, so check your health plan.

How do I find a therapist for lawyers?

Start with your state’s lawyer assistance program, since referral to professional help is part of what many programs do. South Carolina’s, for example, refers members to counselors who are credentialed and trained to understand issues related to the legal profession [51]. Then ask any therapist you consider whether they work with lawyers or other high-pressure professionals, and confirm their license with your state’s licensing board.

Where can I get help besides a therapist?

Your state’s lawyer assistance program offers confidential support and referrals. SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) [48], gives free, confidential treatment referrals. Your employer may offer an employee assistance program. For the work side, such as hours, boundaries or a career change, a coach can help. In a crisis, call or text 988 [2].

Will taking mental health leave hurt my career?

The law protects your job in many cases. If you are an eligible employee of a covered employer, the Family and Medical Leave Act gives you up to 12 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period [52] for a serious health condition. That leave is unpaid and job-protected, and your employer must keep your group health benefits going on the same terms [53]. If you tell your employer about your condition, the EEOC says it must keep the information confidential, even from co-workers [54]. These laws protect employees; a partner may not count as one, so check your partnership agreement. When you explain the time away later, a short, true answer, such as time off for a health matter, keeps the details private.

Should I quit my job because of depression?

Usually not as a first step. Talk it through with your doctor or therapist, and ask HR about leave or a reduced schedule before you resign: protected leave keeps your job and your group health coverage, and quitting can end both just when you need care. Your lawyer assistance program can help you weigh the decision. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 [2] now.

Coaches who help with this

Listings that cover well-being or ADHD, in the usual order: Verified first, then A to Z.

  1. Actualis Attorney Wellness

    Coaching firm, Denver, CO

    Actualis Attorney Wellness: Burnout, stress and well-being. Offers a free consultation.

  2. Moshe Amsel

    Profit with Law

    Moshe Amsel: Burnout, stress and well-being. Offers a free consultation.

  3. Arudia

    Coaching firm, Washington, DC

    Arudia: Burnout, stress and well-being. $6,800 per program.

Every coach for each goal

Browse all 198 coaches

Related guides

Sources

  1. 1Confidential help is available to every judge, lawyer, and law student through a free Lawyer Assistance Program in their state, separate from the disciplinary system. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  2. 2988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text, call, or chat 988. samhsa.gov/mental-health/988 SAMHSA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  3. 3The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential. 988lifeline.org 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, retrieved October 14, 2026
  4. 4911 is the primary contact for emergencies involving medical emergencies, fire, crimes in progress, or other situations requiring immediate physical intervention. samhsa.gov/mental-health/988/faqs SAMHSA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  5. 5Approximately one-fifth of lawyers in the current study meet thresholds for moderate-to-extremely severe symptoms on each subscale, indicating potentially clinically meaningful distress in a substantial portion of the profession: Depression: 21.7% Anxiety: 20.4% Stress: 18.9% americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  6. 6Approximately one-fifth of lawyers in the current study meet thresholds for moderate-to-extremely severe symptoms on each subscale, indicating potentially clinically meaningful distress in a substantial portion of the profession: Depression: 21.7% Anxiety: 20.4% Stress: 18.9% americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  7. 7Approximately one-fifth of lawyers in the current study meet thresholds for moderate-to-extremely severe symptoms on each subscale, indicating potentially clinically meaningful distress in a substantial portion of the profession: Depression: 21.7% Anxiety: 20.4% Stress: 18.9% americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  8. 8The study analyzed survey responses from a random sample of approximately 37,000 actively licensed lawyers drawn from 28 participating jurisdictions across all four U.S. Census Bureau regions and all nine U.S Census Bureau divisions represented within those regions. americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  9. 9Risky alcohol use remains elevated, as 41.8% of lawyers screened positive for risky drinking under standard clinical thresholds and 26.3% screened positive on the higher cutoff used in the 2016 study americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  10. 10Burnout is pervasive, with nearly half of all lawyers (47.4%) screening positive for high burnout, including 15.6% meeting the threshold for severe burnout. americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  11. 11The research provides a 10-year update to and significantly expands upon the landmark 2016 ABA-Hazelden Betty Ford study. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/research/lawyer-well-being ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  12. 12In addition, 11.5% of the participants reported suicidal thoughts at some point during their career pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4736291 Journal of Addiction Medicine (Krill, Johnson and Albert, 2016), retrieved October 14, 2026
  13. 13There is hope. Providing 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works. samhsa.gov/mental-health/988 SAMHSA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  14. 14Lawyer Assistance Programs provide confidential services and support to judges, lawyers and law students who are facing substance use disorders or mental health issues. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lap_programs_by_state ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  15. 15Lawyer assistance programs' services are confidential, and many include prevention, intervention, evaluation, counseling, referral to professional help, and on-going monitoring. lawyerwellbeing.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Lawyer-Wellbeing-Report.pdf National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, retrieved October 14, 2026
  16. 16Many cover a range of well-being-related topics including substance use and mental health disorders, as well as cognitive impairment, process addictions, burnout, and chronic stress. lawyerwellbeing.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Lawyer-Wellbeing-Report.pdf National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, retrieved October 14, 2026
  17. 17MASSACHUSETTS Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Inc. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lap_programs_by_state ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  18. 18Lawyers Helping Lawyers is a professional resource available to all lawyers, judges and law students experiencing challenges with substance use disorders, mental health illnesses and/or stress-related issues that affect their professional and personal lives. scbar.org/for-lawyers/membership/member-benefits/lawyers-helping-lawyers South Carolina Bar, retrieved October 14, 2026
  19. 19LAP counselors can provide a free assessment of your situation and assist you in getting the help you need, whether it's for mental health issues, substance use issues, or a career transition. calbar.ca.gov/legal-professionals/legal-resource-center/lawyer-assistance-program State Bar of California, retrieved October 14, 2026
  20. 20As a member of the South Carolina Bar, you are eligible to receive five free counseling sessions per year through Lawyers Helping Lawyers. scbar.org/for-lawyers/membership/member-benefits/lawyers-helping-lawyers South Carolina Bar, retrieved October 14, 2026
  21. 21The OBA offers all bar members up to six hours of free short-term, problem-focused or crisis counseling. The service is strictly confidential. okbar.org/lhl Oklahoma Bar Association, retrieved October 14, 2026
  22. 22If you wish, you can be referred to a peer mentor who can work with you on specific issues. okbar.org/lhl Oklahoma Bar Association, retrieved October 14, 2026
  23. 23Some short-term services are free. If you join a group or need additional services, fees may apply. calbar.ca.gov/legal-professionals/legal-resource-center/lawyer-assistance-program State Bar of California, retrieved October 14, 2026
  24. 24Awareness of Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs) is high (75.2%), yet barriers to seeking help remain significant americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/research/lawyer-well-being ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  25. 25Confidentiality (53.3%) and Reputation (49.2%): Half of the profession fear that seeking help will not be confidential or will harm their career. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/research/lawyer-well-being ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  26. 26Confidentiality (53.3%) and Reputation (49.2%): Half of the profession fear that seeking help will not be confidential or will harm their career. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/research/lawyer-well-being ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  27. 27Time Constraints (34.5%): Many feel they simply do not have the time to seek care. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/research/lawyer-well-being ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  28. 28Lawyers are reluctant to seek help for mental health and substance use disorders for fear that doing so might negatively affect their licenses and lead to stigma or judgment of peers. lawyerwellbeing.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Lawyer-Wellbeing-Report.pdf National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, retrieved October 14, 2026
  29. 29A number also provide services to lawyer discipline and admissions processes (e.g., monitoring and drug and alcohol screening). lawyerwellbeing.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Lawyer-Wellbeing-Report.pdf National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, retrieved October 14, 2026
  30. 30The program provides both voluntary confidential services and monitored services as needed. calbar.ca.gov/legal-professionals/legal-resource-center/lawyer-assistance-program State Bar of California, retrieved October 14, 2026
  31. 31(c) This Rule does not require disclosure of information otherwise protected by Rule 1.6 or information gained by a lawyer or judge while participating in an approved lawyers assistance program. americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_8_3_reporting_professional_misconduct ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  32. 32These Rules do not otherwise address the confidentiality of information received by a lawyer or judge participating in an approved lawyers assistance program; such an obligation, however, may be imposed by the rules of the program or other law. americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_8_3_reporting_professional_misconduct/comment_on_rule_8_3 ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  33. 33All states require mental health counselors to be licensed. bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, retrieved October 14, 2026
  34. 34ICF defines coaching as: "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." coachingfederation.org/about ICF, retrieved October 14, 2026
  35. 35Coaching is not psychology and does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe medication. coachingfederation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ICFAdvocacyToolkit_USA.pdf ICF, retrieved October 14, 2026
  36. 36Anyone can call themselves a coach. To be an ICF coach, an individual must complete at least 60 hours of coach-specific training and pledge to abide by the ICF Code of Ethics. apps.coachingfederation.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=ICFDirectory&Site=ICFAppsR ICF, retrieved October 14, 2026
  37. 373.7 Understand that ICF professionals often serve in multiple professional roles based on prior training and/or experience (i.e. mentor, therapist, HR specialist, assessor), and it is my responsibility to disclose to the client when I am acting in a capacity other than the role of an ICF professional. coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-ethics/icf-code-of-ethics ICF, retrieved October 14, 2026
  38. 38Burn-out is included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon. It is not classified as a medical condition. who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases World Health Organization, retrieved October 14, 2026
  39. 39Higher work-related burnout was the dominant predictor of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, indicating that higher levels of work exhaustion are clearly linked to mental health symptom severity. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/research/lawyer-well-being ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  40. 40A sample of 12,825 licensed, employed attorneys completed surveys, assessing alcohol use, drug use, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4736291 Journal of Addiction Medicine (Krill, Johnson and Albert, 2016), retrieved October 14, 2026
  41. 41The most common mental health conditions reported were anxiety (61.1%), followed by depression (45.7%), social anxiety (16.1%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (12.5%), panic disorder (8.0%), and bipolar disorder (2.4%). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4736291 Journal of Addiction Medicine (Krill, Johnson and Albert, 2016), retrieved October 14, 2026
  42. 42The most common mental health conditions reported were anxiety (61.1%), followed by depression (45.7%), social anxiety (16.1%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (12.5%), panic disorder (8.0%), and bipolar disorder (2.4%). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4736291 Journal of Addiction Medicine (Krill, Johnson and Albert, 2016), retrieved October 14, 2026
  43. 43The most common mental health conditions reported were anxiety (61.1%), followed by depression (45.7%), social anxiety (16.1%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (12.5%), panic disorder (8.0%), and bipolar disorder (2.4%). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4736291 Journal of Addiction Medicine (Krill, Johnson and Albert, 2016), retrieved October 14, 2026
  44. 44If you have depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another mental health condition, you are protected against discrimination and harassment at work because of your condition, you have workplace privacy rights, and you may have a legal right to get reasonable accommodations that can help you perform and keep your job. eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/depression-ptsd-other-mental-health-conditions-workplace-your-legal-rights U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, retrieved October 14, 2026
  45. 4520.5% reported increased alcohol or other drug use attributable to legal-profession stress. americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  46. 46Despite elevated screening rates for hazardous and risky drinking, only 2.3% reported a current alcohol use disorder diagnosis. americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  47. 47The study indicates a large gap between identified risk and self-reported diagnosis, which may reflect barriers to acknowledging alcohol-related problems or seeking help americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  48. 48SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 1-800-662-HELP (4357) samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline SAMHSA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  49. 49If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, contact your state or local LAP. americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lap_programs_by_state ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  50. 5057% reported observing mental health or substance use problems among colleagues americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study ABA, retrieved October 14, 2026
  51. 51The counselors providing these services are credentialed and trained to understand issues related to the legal profession. scbar.org/for-lawyers/membership/member-benefits/lawyers-helping-lawyers South Carolina Bar, retrieved October 14, 2026
  52. 52An eligible employee may take up to 12 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for: A serious health condition affecting the employee or the employee's child, parent, or spouse dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla U.S. Department of Labor, retrieved October 14, 2026
  53. 53The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons and requires continuation of their group health benefits under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla U.S. Department of Labor, retrieved October 14, 2026
  54. 54If you do talk about your condition, the employer cannot discriminate against you (see Question 5), and it must keep the information confidential, even from co-workers. eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/depression-ptsd-other-mental-health-conditions-workplace-your-legal-rights U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, retrieved October 14, 2026