A Message About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The COVID-19 emergency requires everyone to protect themselves and others from the physical threat of contracting the Coronavirus. But we must also intentionally protect our emotional well-being during these difficult times.
Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Isolation and a natural “Fear of the Unknown” can impact our quality of life and reduce our ability to be resilient and hopeful. The emotional toll of this emergency is also especially challenging for those already managing mental health challenges.
JLAP’s services by phone and internet are 100% operational and will not be interrupted by this crisis. JLAP’s Licensed Professional Counselors and staff are all available by phone and internet to provide professional clinical mental health support and resources to anyone in need.
JLAP has also created the following comprehensive webpage that provides suggestions and numerous links to valuable mental health information to support your well-being and mental health:
Read the Support Guide for COVID-19 here.
As always, all calls to JLAP are strictly confidential and privileged by law. As such, if JLAP can help, please do not hesitate to call us at (985) 778-0571 or email to JLAP@louisianajlap.com
How Can the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program Help You?
The Louisiana State Bar Association’s Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse was first established in 1985 to provide confidential assistance to members of the Bar and their families who were experiencing problems with alcohol or drug abuse. In 1992, the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) formed the Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. (LAP) an LSBA-owned 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation designed to provide confidential, life-saving assistance to the profession and its family members.
Over the years, LAP has expanded the scope of its services and is now the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. (JLAP), a full-service and comprehensive mental health and wellness assistance program with full-time professional clinical staff members. JLAP provides direct and confidential assistance for all mental health issues that members of the legal profession may encounter.
JLAP’s most vital mission is to facilitate early intervention and the direct use of JLAP’s confidential services before the person has become involved in the disciplinary system or otherwise encountered severe consequences. In furtherance of that work, JLAP’s staff provides free, professional intervention services in cases deemed appropriate by JLAP. Early intervention is the key to saving lives and careers while also helping to protect the public from the harm that impaired judges and lawyers can cause.
In cases involving disciplinary action as a result of alleged impairment-related unethical conduct, JLAP provides the direct facilitation of JLAP-approved evaluations and assessments, JLAP-approved treatment if indicated, and formal JLAP Recovery Monitoring or Mental Health Monitoring as the person may desire to objectively demonstrate that they are no longer impaired, are in solid recovery, and that the risk of recidivism is remote. JLAP’s reliable services reflect decades of experience by Physicians’, Nurses’, Airline Pilots’ and Lawyers’ Programs.
Regardless of what the mental health issue is, or how early or late it is in its development, JLAP offers immediate and confidential assistance.
All calls to JLAP are confidential as a matter of law. You do not have to give your name.
Who We Help
Areas of Support
We in the legal profession are at a greater risk for suicide than those in the general population. Scientific studies — most notably the Johns Hopkins study that compared the prevalence of depression in more than 100 professions— have established that lawyers and judges suffer depression at rates up to three times that of the general population. We suffer alcoholism and addiction at rates up to twice the general population. When depression and substance abuse are more prevalent, so is the risk of suicide. Learn more about suicide prevention and how JLAP can help >>