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The Mississippi Lawyer Winter 2016 37 Each year members of The Mississippi Bar pass away from age or illness as is expected. However each year some Mississippi attorneys are tragically lost to suicide or die needlessly in active addic- tion or untreated mental illness. Others may not die but lose their careers their family their health or their freedom due to these same treatable and often prevent- able diseases. As a profession the practice of law can be very taxing even in the best of times. When one tries to balance the expectations and obligations of a law practice with life outside the practice of law the pressures mount even higher. Stress and burnout addiction depression and anxiety and many other troubling issues occur at a significantly higher rate among those in the legal profession than among the general population. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine 21 percent of licensed employed attorneys qualify as problem drinkers 28 percent struggle with some level of depression and 19 percent demonstrate symptoms of anxiety. These are daunting statistics and underscore the importance of hav- ing a highly effective Lawyers Assistance Program working in our state. Fortunately we do. The Mississippi Bar Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program LJAP has been serving Mississippi lawyers judg- es and law students for more than 30 years. During my tenure the Mississippi Supreme Court has had multiple opportu- nities to see the results of LJAPs work. In January 2015 the Mississippi Supreme Court established LJAP as a stand-alone entity with its own set of rules. This step was in response to The Mississippi Bars petition and resulted from the work of the Supreme Court Commission to Address the Concerns of Impaired Lawyers established by my predecessor Chief Justice Jim Smith and chaired by the late Harry Allen. Until that time though it had never operated as such LJAP had been designated as a disciplinary entity. That designation was an impediment to the programs work as lawyers in need of assistance feared con- tact with LJAP could result in bar disci- pline. The LJAP Director has assured me that the programs current position under the Courts Rules has removed a signifi- cant obstacle often faced when trying to assist an attorney in need. It is important that everyone associat- ed with the legal profession in Mississippi knows that LJAPs services are available and that all LJAP matters are strictly confidential by rule. Lawyers and judges are sometimes hesitant to call attention to the troubles experienced by a colleague a friend or a judge before whom they prac- tice. Such hesitancy may come from not wanting to get involved not wanting to add to a colleagues problems from fear of retaliation or any number of other rea- sons. But we cannot ignore the problem that is staring us in the face. To do so only allows these problems to grow sometimes with disastrous consequences. Speak up. Confidentiality protects those people who need help and those who act to make sure they get help. Services are voluntary. An attorney engaged with LJAP at any level can refuse service. Finally it is important to note that LJAPs services are available at no charge. It costs nothing for an attorney or someone who cares about an attorney to access the professional services available at LJAP. In recent years our profession has become increasingly aware of the dev- astating issue of lawyer suicide. In FY 14-15 there were seven attorney suicides in Mississippi. Readers are likely familiar with one or more of these. We are left to wonder what did we miss Did we see the signs Could we have done something to prevent this To combat this troubling issue the LJAP Director has obtained certification to offer gatekeeper suicide prevention trainings. These trainings afford those not previously trained in mental health ser- vice with a no-nonsense effective inter- vention tool to use if confronted with a potential suicidal crisis. The Director has told me on several occasions that he and LJAP volunteers are receiving very positive feedback on the training. More importantly they are being told that the interventions are being used. I would encourage lawyers and judges across the state to try to schedule a training in your area. In this way we can all work toward reducing the risk of this tragedy. As Chief Justice I strongly endorse LJAPs work. I encourage lawyers judg- es and those who care for them to contact the LJAP office or an LJAP volunteer in your area if you have a problem or are concerned for someone you know. All calls to the LJAP office are held in the strictest confidence. I can tell you this not only because of the rules policies and procedures in place I know this to be true based on the Courts experience in mak- ing referrals to or consulting with LJAP. If you believe that you or someone you know needs assistance you should call. If an attorney in your Court or in your com- munity appears to be having problems you should call. If youre concerned but not sure you should call. If you have a general question related to impairment please call 1-800-593-9777. LJAP Works The Chief Justices Perspective By Chief Justice William L. Waller Jr.