The Indiana Supreme Court’s Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP) will host a national conference focusing on wellness, addictions and mental health issues in October in Indianapolis.  JLAP is partnering with the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) to host the conference.  “Those in our profession who need help dealing with addiction or mental health problems have a safe and effective place to turn.  Indiana JLAP is proud to partner with the American Bar Association to hold the conference in Indianapolis.” said Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard.

The 2010 National Conference for Lawyer Assistance Programs will be held October 5-8, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis.  It is the 23rd annual conference for the group dedicated to educating the legal profession on addictions and mental health issues.  It is an opportunity for bar leaders, disciplinary staff, law school administrators and judges to learn about issues which can have a direct impact on the legal community’s well-being. Experts will present valuable information on topics such as addiction and recovery, issues surrounding the aging of the profession and how to reach out to judges, lawyers and law students.

Conference registration can be found online at www.abanet.org/legalservices/colap/conference.html. Judicial Officers interested in attending the conference on a scholarship from the Indiana Supreme Court should fill out the online scholarship application at www.in.gov/judiciary/admin/forms/admin/07-supcrt-scholarship.pdf.

The mission of the ABA’s CoLAP is to educate the legal profession concerning alcoholism, chemical dependencies, stress, depression and other emotional health issues, and to assist and support all bar associations and lawyer assistance programs in developing and maintaining methods of providing effective solutions for recovery.  To learn more about CoLAP visit www.abanet.org/legalservices/colap/. 

Indiana JLAP was created in October 1997 with the merger of two volunteer organizations.  The purpose of JLAP is to provide confidential assistance to judges, lawyers, and law students who may encounter substance abuse, depression or other personal issues that could potentially impact a lawyer’s professional competence.  JLAP Executive Director Terry Harrell explained, “These problems can impair a person’s ability to practice in a professional and competent manner and they may feel like they don’t have anywhere to turn.  We are here to help.”  Harrell says lawyers may be reluctant to seek help for their own problems, therefore the Court works to foster early and confidential contact with individuals in need.  All calls to JLAP are confidential according to the Indiana Rules of Court. 

Help varies with an individual's needs or a particular case, but ranges from information and referral to assistance with organization of an intervention. In addition, JLAP provides education to the bench and bar on relevant issues. Dedicated volunteers, both recovering and non-recovering, provide the crucial statewide network of peer support that enables JLAP to effectively deliver services to judges, attorneys and law students in need throughout Indiana.

If you think you might have a problem, are concerned about someone else, or want to become a JLAP volunteer call 1-866-428-JLAP or visit courts.in.gov/ijlap.