Lawyer Assistance in Utah – Let Us Help
by V. Lowry Snow
In 2002, Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers (Utah LHL) invited the ABA Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs to conduct an on-site evaluation of the availability of programs in place to assist Utah lawyers with a range of issues including chemical dependency, stress, depression, and other psychological conditions. The final report the review team issued first addressed the question of whether Utah needed a fully funded assistance program to address these issues. In response, the report offered statistics generated from lawyer assistance programs in other states and frankly, the data are disconcerting. For example, the report highlights the results of a Johns Hopkins study from 1990 that attorneys lead the nation in the incidence of depression. One study indicated that between 15% and 18% of lawyers and judges will suffer from chemical dependency or psychological impairment at some point during their career. Another study estimates that between 50% and 70% of all disciplinary matters are related to substance abuse or other psychological problems. It can be argued that because of Utah’s unique culture, healthy lifestyle, and strong emphasis on family life and support, that these numbers are simply not representative of its lawyers. However, after reviewing additional ABA literature on this matter and after spending considerable time with the leaders from both of our lawyer assistance providers: Utah LHL and Blomquist Hale, I am convinced that these same issues, to some extent, affect our membership.
We are fortunate in Utah to have two very fine organizations to help address these issues, not only for the lawyers themselves, but also for family members of active lawyers.
Utah LHL was established in 1988. Initially it was created as a committee of the Bar, but it now enjoys its own non-profit independent status, although its focus remains the same. It exists to provide confidential assistance to any member of the Bar whose professional performance is impaired because of emotional distress, mental illness, substance abuse, or any other disabling condition. There are some important features about this mostly volunteer organization that are worth noting:
• For good reasons, Utah LHL is not connected with the Office of Professional Conduct and while the Bar Commission is very supportive of Utah LHL, including financially, they remain independent.
• Volunteer lawyers handle the counseling and support work of Utah LHL. Lawyers needing assistance from Utah LHL get help from other caring and supportive lawyers.
• Utah LHL acts on referrals from lawyers, judges, or family members who observe a lawyer struggling with any disabling issue. They will follow up by making discreet contact with that lawyer and offering assistance.
• Utah LHL has helped, and probably saved, scores of Utah lawyers. They stand ready to assist and can be contacted at www.lawyershelpinglawyers.org.
The other support the Bar provides is through an independent counseling organization known as Blomquist-Hale. As one of your Bar benefits, this organization offers direct counseling for any active lawyer or a member of the lawyer’s family with a trained, skilled, professional counselor, at no cost. The range of counseling services offered by Blomquist-Hale is surprisingly broad. You may contact them directly by going to www.blomquisthale.com.
Lawyers are trained to be problem solvers, not problem makers. We take great pride in our ability to assist others with their problems; we are perceived by ourselves and others as strong and able and always in control. We find it difficult to ask for help and consequently, our own problems are often times put off until they become serious. Eventually, our issues get addressed, but not always in the best manner. Getting help early is one way we exercise control over the process and although it can be difficult to ask for help, the Bar has made available two excellent support organizations to simplify the process and offer assistance to you and your family. It starts by making that first phone call.