YLD Health & Wellbeing
If you or someone you know needs help for personal or professional issues, contact the confidential, free Lawyer Assistance Program in your region.
A while back, a Tweet appeared in our feed asking to hear from #lawtwitter about their mental health challenges during law school. The responses were overwhelming. Read the thread HERE
Links to the articles cited in the feed are below:
Young and in Law - Law Times article by Doron Gold
The Lawyer Therapist: Law School Doesn't have to make you sick - Law Times article by Doron Gold
Debunking the "lone sufferer" myth once and for all - Law Pro article by Doron Gold
ALBERTA
Assist provides confidential help to lawyers, law students and their immediate families experiencing personal issues. Assist pays for up to four hours of professional counselling time offered by Forbes Psychological Services. Your time can be used to assess the issues you are facing, and to offer short-term counselling and a referral to long-term sources of help, when needed.
Assist also offers a peer support program delivered by volunteer lawyers, who provide a link for Alberta lawyers to address personal and professional issues in a safe and confidential environment.
FIND OUT MORE
Peer Support Help Line: 1-877-737-5508
Professional Counselling 24/7: 1-877-498-6898
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Lawyers Assistance Program of BC LAPBC provides confidential outreach, education, support and referrals to lawyers and other members of the legal community to help them deal with personal issues. These may include problems such as alcohol and drug dependence, depression, stress, and anxiety, among others.
FIND OUT MORE
By phone 24/7: 1-888-685-2171
In person: 415 – 1080 Mainland Street, Vancouver
By confidential email: info@lapbc.com
MANITOBA
The Lawyers Health and Wellness Program is a free and confidential service that offers crisis intervention and assistance, as well as short-term counselling, to practising lawyers and articling students in Manitoba and their families.
FIND OUT MORE
By phone: 1-204-786-8880 or 1-800-590-5553
Lawyers Helping Lawyers is a group of lawyers committed to helping other lawyers enjoy their life and law practice to the fullest. Contact one of our trained volunteer lawyers
NEW BRUNSWICK
The Lawyers' Assistance Program (NBLAP) is a confidential service offering counselling, coaching and support to respond to any circumstance that affects your health, well-being, and professional life. Services are available in person, by telephone or online at no cost to you. Appointments can be made quickly and locally, with your convenience in mind. Register using NBLAP as your company name to access the Homewood website homeweb.ca resources, assessments and articles.
This program is available to New Brunswick lawyers, employees, judges, articling and law students and their families.
FIND OUT MORE
1-888-315-2244
24/7 Bilingual service available
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
The Professionals' Assistance Program offers assistance to lawyers, articled clerks, students and their families who need support. Homewood Health offers 24/7 counselling for personal and family-related issues or life events
FIND OUT MORE
By phone: 1-709-754-3007 or 1-800-563-9133
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Lawyers in the Northwest Territories can access help through Homewood Health, which offers the following programs and services:
Stay-at-Work Services offer assistance to address personal and professional challenges such as anger, grief, stress and mental health issues to help keep employees healthy and productive.
Return-to-Work Services offer assistance from a team of health professionals to allow employees to return to work successfully.
Treatment Services offer customized treatment plans to help employees achieve physical and mental wellness.
FIND OUT MORE
By phone: 1-800-663-1142
NOVA SCOTIA
NSLAP provides services to lawyers, articled clerks, students and their families who may need support for all types of personal problems. Homewood Health offers 24/7 counselling for personal and family-related issues or life events
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Lawyers Insurance Association of Nova Scotia
NUNAVUT
Assist provides confidential help to lawyers, law students and their immediate families experiencing personal issues. Assist pays for up to four hours of professional counselling time offered by Forbes Psychological Services. You can use your time to have your issues assessed, access short-term counselling or get a referral to long-term sources of help.
Assist also offers a peer support program delivered by volunteer lawyers, who provide a link for lawyers to address personal and professional issues in a safe and confidential environment.
FIND OUT MORE
Peer Support Help Line: 1-877-737-5508
Professional Counselling 24/7: 1-877-498-6898
ONTARIO
Member Assistance Program is a confidential service designed to help lawyers, paralegals, law students, judges, other legal professionals and family members achieve health and wellness goals. The service provides online information, tools and resources
Members can register for e-counselling by chat or email. You also have access to a comprehensive Health Risk Assessment, self-directed e-courses, wellness recordings and videos.
FIND OUT MORE
Call 1-855-403-8922
Visit the Member Assistant Program website
The Law Society of Ontario has launched an online resource hub as part of their commitment to supporting the ongoing well-being of legal professionals across the province. You can visit the website by clicking HERE
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
PEI Lawyers Assistance Program This program provides lawyers, judges, law students and their family members with access to free and confidential one-on-one professional counselling services through Homewood Health. Services assist with depression, addictions, grief, family troubles, financial or work difficulties. Access free bilingual, confidential help 24/7
QUEBEC
PAMBA offers confidential support and counselling services for alcoholism, drug addiction, burnout, stress or other mental health and wellness issues. Services are available to members of the Quebec Bar 24/7.
For members dealing with alcohol addiction, the peer support group Juri-Secours meets weekly in the Outaouais, Montreal and Quebec City. Find out about your local meetings.
FIND OUT MORE
By phone: 1-514-286-0831 or 1-800-747-2622
By email (mark as confidential): aide@pamba.info
SASKATCHEWAN
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is a program delivered through Homewood Health, this service offers free, confidential 24/7 support to Saskatchewan lawyers, articling students, law students and their eligible family members
FIND OUT MORE
By phone: 1-800-663-1142
YUKON
The Yukon Lawyers Assistance Program (YLAP) offers lawyers an informational, confidential referral and counselling service provided through Nimco and Associates.
Available 24/7, YLAP assists members of the legal profession who may be experiencing work or personal problems related to family, relationships, health, drug, alcohol, or gambling issues.
FIND OUT MORE
By phone: 1-867-668-4231
Urgent after-hours calls: 1-867-332-4018
By email: bnimco.eap@klondiker.com