Thrive in Law, Thrive in Life

Topic Overview

Reaching out for help can be a big step and is often the first step to feeling better.  Rest assured that your call to us is completely confidential.

Every day we receive calls from lawyers, judges, and law students who want to improve their lives. We are here to help.

All OAAP attorney counselors have experience practicing law and training as counselors. Our goal is to help you achieve greater well-being. We offer a wide range of assistance, including helping you to acquire the tools you need to manage stress, overcome problematic substance use, attain a satisfying career, achieve and maintain mental health, live a healthful lifestyle, and much more. For more information about our services, click on Services on the menu at the top of this page.

When you call, we’ll work to connect you with the attorney counselor who is the best fit for you. We can meet with you in person or by telephone.  We’ll talk about what you are experiencing and help you develop a plan to use your strengths to address your concerns. Often, change can happen in a few meetings.  If needed, we can refer you to outside services for longer-term help and continue to support you while you connect with those resources.

All communications with the OAAP are completely confidential and will not affect your standing with the Professional Liability Fund or the Oregon State Bar. No information will be disclosed to any person, agency, or organization outside the OAAP, without the consent of the person accessing the program. Contacts with us are kept strictly confidential pursuant to ORS 9.568, PLF Policies 6.150 – 6.300, Oregon State Bar Bylaws Article 24, Oregon Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3(c)(3), and Judicial Code of Conduct for United States Judges Canon 3B(5).  The only exceptions are: (1) to avert a serious, imminent threat to your health or safety or that of another person and (2) to comply with legal obligations such as ORS 419B.010 and ORS 124.060 (child abuse and elder abuse).

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Topic Overview

DIAL 988 if you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis.

If you feel overwhelmed by the long hours, constant stress, high demands, and higher expectations of the legal profession, you are not alone.  Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health concerns in the United States. Research shows that lawyers (and law students) experience these conditions at significantly higher rates than the general population. Sleep disturbances; fatigue; procrastination; isolation; excessive worry or intrusive thoughts that will not go away; feelings of pessimism or hopelessness; or changes in mood or physical health can all be symptoms of anxiety or depression.

However, there is hope. Sometimes, just talking to someone about how you feel can help minimize symptoms of depression or anxiety.  Often, making changes to reduce or eliminate highly stressful situations can help.  Other times, healing comes from talking to a therapist and/or accessing appropriate treatment under a doctor’s care.

Sometimes, emotional pain and hopelessness can become overwhelming, leading to thoughts of harming oneself. It is an unfortunate fact that the rate of suicide among lawyers is greater than among the general population. 

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1.800.273.TALK (8255) (available 24/7)

Possible Suicide Warning Signs

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
• Talking about feeling hopeless, seeing no reason for living, or having no sense of purpose
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities – seemingly without thinking.
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling in unbearable pain – like there is no way out
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Isolating and/or withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Giving away prized possessions or other personal belongings, or taking unusual actions to put personal or work affairs in order
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping significantly more than usual
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes

How to Help a Colleague Who Exhibits Warning Signs

DIAL 988 if you believe someone is in imminent danger of harming themselves.

If you believe a colleague may be at risk for suicide, encourage them to seek help.  Take expressions of suicidal thoughts or behaviors seriously.  Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline recommends the following when someone is threatening suicide:

• Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
• Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
• Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong or whether feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
• Don’t dare the person to do it.
• Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.
• Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
• Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
• Take action. Remove means, such as guns or stockpiled pills.
• Get help from persons or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1.800.273.TALK (8255) (available 24/7)

• Call the OAAP by dialing 503.226.1057 or toll free 800.321.6227. An attorney counselor is available by telephone 24/7.  We can help you assist your colleague and/or help your colleague directly.

If you are concerned that you, or someone you care about, are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, or exhibiting warning signs of suicide, OAAP attorney counselors can help or, if needed, refer you to other health professionals to make sure you get the help you need. Your call is confidential.

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Topic Overview

Practicing law can be stressful.  The long hours, looming deadlines, and clients and colleagues dependent upon our expertise can make it difficult to balance the demands of work, friends, and family.   It is not unusual to turn to unhealthy or unsafe behaviors such as gambling; pornography; or problematic use of food, the Internet, or sex to try to manage feelings of stress.  Further, feelings of fear, guilt, or shame can make it difficult to reach out for help.  If you are engaging in a behavior that you would like to stop, we can help.  OAAP attorney counselors can provide confidential counseling, ongoing support (including recovery support groups for lawyers, law students, and judges), or referral to other health professionals to make sure you get the help you need.  Your call is confidential.

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Topic Overview

Having a career that promotes personal satisfaction, growth, challenge, and engagement is a predictor of lawyer well-being. What may be a perfect fit for someone else may not be right for you. Even if your job fits you well, it is sometimes difficult to balance the demands of family, friends, self-care, your personal interests, and work. Sometimes, you may feel “burned out.” If you are looking for assistance navigating the world of work and your place in it, we can help. Whether you are new to the practice of law or an experienced attorney, the OAAP provides workshops, seminars, individual counseling, and other resources that can help you with your career path or transition.

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Topic Overview

Your life circumstances may give rise to unforeseen challenges that affect your legal career. These may include managing a sudden or chronic illness; physical or cognitive decline; separation or divorce; or grieving the loss of a loved one. If you or someone you care about are struggling with any of the challenges below, OAAP attorney counselors can help. If needed, we can also provide referrals to other health professionals to make sure you get the help you need. Your call is confidential.

• Cognitive Decline
• Chronic Physical Illness
• Grief
• Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Compassion Fatigue
• Trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Other mental health issues (such as social anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar disorder)

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Topic Overview

We sometimes find that our most important and meaningful relationships are adversely impacted as we work toward satisfying our obligations and responsibilities as lawyers.  When we experience relationship issues such as marital discord, divorce, disagreements with family members, conflicts with friends or colleagues, or family stress, it can interfere with our ability to function effectively. These experiences can be particularly exacerbated when our response to the stresses and demands of our work is to excessively use alcohol and other substances. Maintaining positive, healthy relationships and a solid support system are essential to lawyer well-being. If you, or someone you care about, are seeking to strengthen personal or professional relationships; need help navigating through a difficult family change, including a divorce or separation; or need help addressing interpersonal conflicts at work, OAAP attorney counselors can help. We can provide a comfortable and confidential opportunity to talk about your relationships. We can help you strategize ways to address your concerns and strengthen your connections. We will support you during the process. Your call is confidential.

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Recent research shows that attorneys are at a heightened risk to develop problems with substance use. Misusing alcohol, prescription medication, opiates, stimulants, marijuana, or other substances can threaten health and productivity, can interfere with jobs, school, and relationships, and can lead to substance use disorders.  Alcohol and other drug disorders are progressive, chronic diseases that only get worse over time without help.  Fortunately, when properly addressed these conditions can be successfully managed and treated, often before you experience significant consequences.  If you are concerned about your (or someone else’s) relationship with alcohol or other drugs, the OAAP can provide confidential counseling, ongoing support (including recovery support groups for lawyers, law students, and judges), or referrals to other health professionals to make sure you get the help you need. OAAP counselors can also assist with other challenging behaviors such as gambling, pornography, and problematic use of food, the Internet, or sex. Your call is confidential.

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Topic Overview

Burnout has long been an issue in the legal community. With long hours, heavy caseloads, and other problematic aspects of legal culture contributing to high rates of burnout before the pandemic, the past two years have seen burnout increase to record levels.

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Vicarious trauma is one name for the concept that helpers can experience trauma as a result of working with people who are suffering. Exposure to other people’s trauma can result in a profound shift in the helper’s worldview and sense of self that is both cumulative and permanent. This process has many names, including compassion fatigue, trauma exposure response, empathic strain, secondary traumatic stress, or, as we know it – the cost of doing business in a profession in which we are exposed daily to other people’s pain. Do you think that vicarious trauma is affecting you? Find a self-test here.

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Heavy workloads, grades, and competition contribute to law student stress.  Being intentional about your self-care is key. When you feel overwhelmed, it is not unusual to turn to unhealthy coping strategies such as substance misuse; procrastination; gambling; or problematic use of food, the Internet, or sex to deal with feelings of stress.  Getting help early to work through these issues will help you be healthier and more effective in law school and throughout your legal career. OAAP attorney counselors can help you develop strategies to navigate the stress of law school or, if needed, refer you to other health professionals to make sure you get the help you need.

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Retirement can be an exciting milestone. Yet, the decision to retire – and when – is often a difficult one to make.  For some, it is difficult to imagine what life might be like beyond the practice of law.  For others, finalizing your plan to leave your law practice, crucial health care considerations, and financial planning can seem daunting.  OAAP attorney counselors can provide individual counseling, workshops, and other resources to help you prepare for life after law.

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