National Suicide Prevention Week: Resources for Lawyers

Lawyers are the most frequently depressed occupational group in the US and suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the profession.

Help is available but awareness is often lacking. The 2012 National Suicide Prevention Week, starting with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th helps to raise awareness.

Many state bars offer assistance and resources like the Texas State Bar, so check with your state or local bar.

If you are considering suicide, please call 911 for immediate help or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Additional helpful resources include:

• Dave Nee Foundation, comprised primarily of dedicated volunteers to reduce the stigma of depression and prevent suicide through its support of established organizations and its own direct advocacy. Here’s a writeup that we did on the organization.
• Lawyers with Depression – the first website and blog of its kind in the country, to help law students, lawyers and judges cope with and heal from depression.
• 2012 National Suicide Prevention Week: Media & Information Kit (PDF)
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• The ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs for Depression and Suicide

These are just a few of the many useful sites for lawyers seeking help. If you know of others, please let us know and we’ll add them to the list.