Remember Your Lawyer Assistance Program

Research shows that lawyers are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety and substance abuse than average. And according to Ontario lawyer-turned-social worker Doron Gold, “If there’s stigma in society generally, the stigma is tenfold in the legal profession.”

Today’s practice tip is a reminder that every province and territory has a lawyer assistance program that exists to help members of the legal profession and those that care about them. Services and programs vary, but most have confidential helplines, counselling, peer support programs, and many more offerings to benefit lawyers, judges, law students, their immediate families and colleagues.

• Alberta: Alberta Lawyers’ Assistance Program
• BC: Lawyers Assistance Program of BC
• Saskatchewan: Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
• Manitoba: Lawyers Health and Wellness Program
• Ontario: Member Assistance Program (MAP)
• Quebec: Programme d’aide aux membres du Barreau du Québec (PAMBA)
• New Brunswick: Lawyers’ Assistance Program
• Newfoundland & Labrador: Professionals’ Assistance Program
• PEI: Lawyers Assistance Program
• Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program
• Yukon: Yukon Lawyers Assistance Program (YLAP)
• NWT: Lawyers Assistance Program
• Nunavut: Nunavut Lawyer Assistance Program (NuLAP)

The Judges Counselling Program is another Canadian organization that provides support to judges, justices of the peace, masters, prothonotaries, and their spouses and eligible children.