RECOVERY STORIES

ABA anti-stigma campaign tells recovery stories of lawyers, judges, law students

The American Bar Association’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs has begun a campaign that will feature a series of videos highlighting the recovery stories of lawyers, judges, and law students who have overcome addiction and mental health problems.

The commission, known as CoLAP, aims to break down the stigma, shame, and fear it says often prevent legal professionals from seeking help when struggling with these problems. The first video, entitled “Fear Not: Speaking Out to end Stigma,” features a diverse group of lawyers, a judge and two law students who openly talk about the challenges with behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, alcoholism and drug addiction, their recovery and the vital importance of asking for help.

The video is posted online at https://www.montanabar.org/ page/LAP.