NLAP interacted with 82 lawyers, judges and law students.

The top three most common conditions were depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders.

NLAP conducted 8 CLE presentations for lawyers and 10 programs presented to law students.

NLAP publishes a regular column in The Nebraska Lawyer magazine entitled 
The  Wellness Brief.

70 lawyers and judges are members of the NLAP Volunteer Committee.

Lawyers and judges helping their colleagues in need.  Confidentially and without judgement.

What We Offer
The Nebraska Lawyers Assistance Program (NLAP) offers confidential help to all Nebraska lawyers, judges and law students troubled by drug or alcohol dependence, mental health disorders (including depression, anxiety, bi-polar, OCD), cognitive loss, stress, burnout and other types of conditions which may impact an individual’s professional and personal life. 

NLAP also assists people who are concerned about a lawyer, judge or law student and want to encourage them to get help.    We can coach you on how to communicate with someone you are concerned about or NLAP can take the imitative to proactively offer help.

Confidentiality
Because of the sensitive and personal nature of these problems, lawyers, judges and law students who need help are often very reluctant to seek it.  Communication with NLAP is governed by strict confidentiality rules that state that the communication with the NLAP Director or an NLAP Volunteer receives the same protection as communication between an attorney and client. 

See Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct §3-501.6(c) and  §3-508.3(c)

NLAP Volunteer Committee
The foundation of NLAP is a network of Nebraska lawyers and judges who volunteer their time to assist their colleagues in need.  NLAP volunteers have diverse experiences and serve on the committee for a variety of reasons.  Peer-to-peer support is a key element to achieving sustained improvement.  The NLAP Director and these volunteers stand ready to assist their colleagues.

Based on recent comprehensive studies of lawyer and law student well-being, the following risks were identified:

Lawyers

28%   screened high risk for depression.

19%   screened high risk for anxiety.

12%   contemplated suicide during their career.  Lawyers have a suicide rate three-times greater
          than the adult US population.

21%   are considered problem drinkers because their drinking has become hazardous and
         indicates dependency.

23%  were experiencing abnormally high levels of stress.

Law Students

17%  were considered high risk for depression.

37%  were considered high risk for anxiety, including 14% who showed signs of severe anxiety.

27%  exhibited signs of eating disorders (18% male and 34% female).

  6%  had seriously considered suicide during past 12-months.