LAW STUDENTS

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Law students experience mental health concerns at rates higher than other graduate students, which can lead to substance abuse and other ineffective methods of coping. Even though research suggests that more than 40% of law students recognize that they need help, they also report that only about half take the necessary steps to get it (Organ, Jaffe, & Bender, 2016). Law students may fear that seeking help will threaten their academic status, their bar admission, and their ability to get a job. However, seeking support for mental health and/or substance use problems while in law school is one of the best ways to ensure a successful legal career. In addition, reaching out to COLAP is a completely confidential way to get the support you need to build a foundation of cognitive and emotional health and well-being.

REASONS LAW STUDENTS CALL COLAP

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed, traditional coping strategies are no longer working
Diminishing academic success due to excessive absenteeism or declining work product, or excess anxiety due to tests and exams
Persistent fatigue and low energy
Difficulty concentrating or focusing
Increased irritability or impatience
Health or sleep difficulties
Escalating behavioral health concerns, including mental health, substance use, and addiction issues

Request a therapy referral
Concerns about the Character & Fitness portion of their bar application
Career related concerns
Self-medicating with substances (drugs or alcohol)
Self-medicating with processes (internet, gaming, gambling, shopping, eating, pornography)
Concerns about a colleague or family member
Interest in personal and professional resources available

WHAT TO EXPECT

A specialized and licensed clinician, experienced in working with legal professionals and law students, will schedule your free and confidential consultation. We provide education, practical strategies based on evidence and research-based techniques, tailored resources, and collaborative support in planning your next steps. During the consultation, COLAP staff will:

Ask about your concerns to learn more and get a complete understanding of the personal and professional issues that might be contributing to the situation,
Provide education, when appropriate, to help facilitate understanding about the issues and concerns you identify,
Identify resources that may be beneficial to you and the legal professional in your life, and
Help strategize a plan for supporting both you and the member of the legal community you are concerned about.

Resources for Law Students

Colorado Specific Resources

Office of Attorney Admissions

Toolkit for Bar Exam Re-Takers from the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP)

National Resources

ABA Mental Health & Substance Abuse Toolkit for Law Students

ABA Path to Law Student Well-Being Podcast Series

Confidentiality

All communications with COLAP are privileged and held in the strictest confidence.

Members of the legal community can be reluctant to seek assistance for behavioral health, well-being, and career-related issues. The Colorado Supreme Court addressed this concern by making COLAP a separate and independent agency.

In addition, pursuant to Rule 254, the court mandated that all communications with COLAP are “privileged and held in the strictest confidence.”

COLAP is prohibited from disclosing any information without a signed release from the individual it pertains to, and information shared with COLAP cannot be used as evidence in complaints, investigations, or in legal or disciplinary proceedings. Reaching out to COLAP cannot negatively impact your license, career, or personal relationships; but not reaching out might.