Substance Use
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues: This is Us
Becoming an Alcoholic in Private-Living in Recovery in Public
Never Alone: Addiction, Recovery and Community
Beyond the Silence: Removing the Stigma Around Addiction
Mental and Emotional
Mental Health in Law School: A Priority for the LAP
Work Stress and Isolation Contribute to Higher Risk of Suicide Among Lawyers and Older Adults
How Tapping Can Help Lawyers Relieve Pain and Reduce Stress
Why Burnout Is So Pertinent in Lawyers…and How To Recognize It
How to Help Judges in Need of Help
One Lawyer Living and Working with Depression
Grief and Loss: It May Not Be Such a Strange Topic for September
Time to Change the Clock (SAD)
Trauma, Mental Health and the Lawyer
How the Profession I Love Took a Toll on My Health
We Need More Optimists in the Legal Profession
Mental Health Challenges for Lawyers: Remove the Stigma, Expand Services>
Financial
Physical
Let’s Get Physical: Get Moving for Attorney Well-Being
The Case for Attorney Wellness
Go to Bed: The Ethics of Exhausted Lawyering
Attorney Wellness in a Nutshell
Occupational
Finding a Health Way to Transform Our Lives as We Retire
Legal Culture Must Change for Attorneys to Thrive
NYSBA Makes Progress in Effort to Remove Mental Health Question From Bar Application
Social
Helping Working Parents Keep Their Lives in Balance
How a Group of Lawyers Came Together for a Year Despite Isolation
LAP History
Two Men Met in 1935 – AND A RECOVERY PROGRAM WAS BORN
30 Years of the LAP: Countless Lives Saved and Careers Resurrected
AWB History
Profiles in Leadership: Kim Wolf Price
How a Lunch Between Dear Friends Led to a Movement to Change the Legal Culture
This is Us: From Striving Alone to Thriving Together-TF on Attorney Well-Being Report
After Groundbreaking Report, NYSBA Looks for Next Steps on Attorney Well-Being
Attorney Well-Being Takes on Added Urgency as NYSBA Looks To Solve Long-Standing Problems
NYSBA Proposes Sweeping Changes Across Legal System To Prioritize Attorney Well-Being
Suffering in Silence No More: Will Lawyers’ Stories Lead To Change?
Lawyers Helping Lawyers Groups
The following are recovery peer led support groups. Open to anyone in the profession working on their recovery from alcohol or substances. No registration is required.
Central NY | Mondays at 12:00 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83354706859 Zoom ID: 833 5470 6859 Password: Serenity
Erie County | Thursdays at 5:30 pm This is a hybrid meeting. Zoom Link Password: 476374 Contact swhiteley@nysba.org for the in-person location.
Monroe County | In-person meetings once a month. Contact Stacey Whiteley for time and location. swhiteley@nysba.org
Nassau County | First and Third Wednesday of the month at 12:30. Zoom link to join: Thomas More Recovery Meeting ID: 858 1826 5744 Pswd: 804067
NYC Bar| Lawyers AA meeting-Thursdays at 6:30 pm For Zoom link: contact Alan Gray alangrayjr@gmail.com
NYC Bar | Lawyers NA Meeting Wednesdays at 6:30 pm To join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5963609390?pwd=RUREYkdkc0FnSkdWY0JPK0lFVGxSdz09 Meeting ID 596 360 9390 Passcode: FELLOWSHIP
Suffolk County | Tuesdays at 6:00 pm -Hybrid. To join by Zoom: www.zoom.com click on Join button: ID: 5580751056 PW: ReachOut Contact Stacey for the in-person location:swhiteley@nysba.org *New Meeting*
General Support LHL Meetings
The following is a peer led support group, open for those in the profession that are struggling with any mental, emotional, or substance use issue and are seeking connection and support. The group format is open discussion, usually following a reading on a topic relevant to the group.
Capital District | First Wednesdays of each month at 12:30 pm virtually, with hybrid meetings on occasion. Zoom link: CDLHL Meeting Link
Depression/Mental Health
Contact the Lawyer Assistance Program for confidential counseling referrals and support: 518-487-5688 or lap@nysba.org
NYSBA Members can contact the LAP Hotline 24/7 for immediate support and referrals to a mental health professional for four free sessions: 1-877-772-8835
Lawyers with Depression Support Group: Tuesday and Friday at 12:30 pm. Contact anoble@eriebar.org for the link. This group is open to all with mental health struggles as well, not only depression.
Onondaga County Lawyers Depression Group: In person. Contact Jim McSweeney mcsweeneyjr@gmail.com (315) 451-2161 or Jeff Unaitis junaitis@onbar.org or (315) 579-2581 for more information and to register.
Comprehensive training for the general public on common mental health issues: Mental Health First Aid Training. This is a full day course that provides valuable tools and resources to help non-mental health professionals navigate helping those with mental health issues. The trainings are free.
Mindspring Mental Health Alliance offers free one-hour webinars on a variety of mental health topics ranging from Understanding OCD to Relationships, Family, and Mental Health. The webinars are free and led by licensed mental health professionals. To view the calendar and to register click here: Mindspring
**The 988 Suicide and Crisis Line is available for assistance to anyone struggling with a mental health crisis. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
Substance Use Concerns
Contact the Lawyer Assistance Program for confidential treatment referrals and support: 518-487-5688 or lap@nysba.org
International Lawyers in Alcoholic Anonymous (ILAA) Mondays 8:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87365736538
International Lawyers in Alcoholic Anonymous (ILAA) Women’s Meeting Tuesdays 8:00 pm-
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87365736538
Online general AA meetings link: https://aa-intergroup.org/meetings/
Online secular AA meetings can be found here: https://www.aasecular.org/online-meetings
In-person AA meetings: https://www.aa.org/find-aa
Family member support: https://www.al-anon.org
Support for Adult Children of Alcoholics: https://adultchildren.org/meeting-search/
Recovery Centers of America have a calendar of educational programs for families or for the individual regarding the science of addition, family systems, self-care, etc.
NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports has a comprehensive website and has a Hopeline: 1-877-8-HOPENY or text 467369.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) has a website www.Findtreatment.gov that is promoted as “the most comprehensive resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders.”
InTheRooms is a free community that embraces many paths to recovery-including 12 step and others. There’s also information and support groups for people who are impacted by toxic relationships, with webinars led by mental health professionals.
SMART Recovery is an abstinence based facilitated group recovery program. If you’d like to explore what SMART recovery is all about: https://www.smartrecovery.org/
Refuge Recovery is a practice, process, and path to healing addiction. Based on teachings from Siddhartha Gautama. https://www.refugerecovery.org/
Life Ring is a secular recovery group: https://lifering.org/ There are few in person meetings in New York, but there are numerous online meetings available.
ADHD Support Group Resources
Below are resources including websites, apps, and products that members of the ADHD support group have found helpful. These resources are suggestions, not recommendations and do not indicate endorsement by NYSBA.
Websites
- ADHD focused website with self-tests, resources, webinars: ADDitude
- A website just for ADHD lawyers: jDHD
- Mindfulness created for the ADHD mind: MindfullyADD
Apps
- Virtual coworking: https://www.focusmate.com/
- Gamifying work to achieve goals: https://habitica.com/static/home
- An online project management program: www.clickup.com
- Electronic journaling and so much more: www.notion.so
Services
- Dynamic Learning Services: Dr. Appelgren’s practice. Dr. Appelgren’s specialty is working with individuals with executive functioning issues.
- Dixon Life Coaching : has a lawyer specific ADHD program.
Lawyer Assistance
Navigating the Ethics of Grievance Proceedings 1 Ethics Credit
Lawyers Assistance: Addressing Stress, Wellbeing, Mental Health and Alcohol and Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession – Video Replay 1.5 Ethic Credits
Attorney Well-Being
The Eight Pillars of Attorney Well-Being: Finding Balance in the Profession 1 Law Practice Management Credit
Reimagining Our Future: A Holistic Approach To Lawyer Wellbeing 2 Law Practice Management Credits
HOW TO HELP GUIDES
These digital guides are to assist someone who wants to help a loved one or colleague but doesn’t know where to start. The LAP staff is available to you as well: 518-487-5688.
H2H: The Lawyer with Depression
H2H: The Lawyer Showing Cognitive Decline
H2H: Suicide Awareness and Prevention
SELF ASSESSMENTS
Attorney Well-Being Self Assessment
The Attorney Well-Being Program follows an Eight Pillars model to approach a balanced view of wellness from a holistic perspective. If you are unsure where to start, where you’re at, or where you’re going, this assessment may offer an opportunity for self-reflection.
Eight Pillars of Attorney Well-Being Self Assessment: Checking-in
Additional Self Assessments
The assessments below do not provide a medical diagnosis; they are offered as a tool to help the user determine if seeking a professional evaluation is warranted. If you have questions about the tools or your results, call the LAP at 518-487-5688.
Online AUDIT: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
Drug Screening Questionnaire (DAST)
Gambling Self-Assessment (BBGS)
Burnout Inventory (Oldenburg Burnout Inventory)
Some of the assessment links will bring you to a non-NYSBA affiliated website. NYSBA does not endorse these sites or their organizations. You are not required to enter any personal information to utilize the assessments.
Join Us for a Restorative and Uplifting Weekend at the 2025 LAP Spring Retreat!
May 16-18, 2025
For more than 20 years, the Lawyer Assistance Program Spring Retreat has been a place of community, connection, and renewal for lawyers and their families navigating recovery from alcohol and mental health challenges. This year, we’re thrilled to return to the beautiful shores of Lake George at Silver Bay, where you’ll find a weekend filled with celebrations, CLE programming, engaging group activities, and plenty of support meetings.
But if you’re looking for a retreat that’s more about relaxation and recharging, you’ll find that too. Enjoy access to all that Silver Bay has to offer—serene hiking trails, peaceful kayak rides, yoga and meditation sessions, a labyrinth for reflection, and cozy rocking chairs perfect for quiet moments overlooking the lake.
However you choose to spend your 2025 Spring Retreat, we cannot wait to welcome you to this special gathering. Bring your family and friends and experience what one past attendee described as a “transformative and memorable” weekend.
We hope to see you there!
Registration and lodging information below.
To Register: 2025 LAP Spring Retreat
Registration is $185.00
Guest/Family members 16 and over is $140.00
Guest/Family members 5-16 is $40.00
Guest/Family members 5 and under are free
The registration fees cover the cost of the catered dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings and CLE programming.
**The registration fee reflects a $50 scholarship for the first 50 registered attendees and guests.
Additional scholarships for registration and/or lodging are available and easy to request, contact Stacey Whiteley swhiteley@nysba.org for more information.
LODGING
Reserve your room now at the block room rates by clicking here: LAP Silver Bay Lodging Reservations. Or call Silver Bay reservations: 888.758.7229.
Block room rates are good until April 15, 2025.
The Balance
The Lawyer Assistance and Attorney Well-Being Newsletter.
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