Assistance Program Provides Safe Haven for Legal Community

Judges and lawyers are susceptible. The evidence is there.

Specifically, Matthew Reel said, studies have shown those in the legal industry are more likely to battle substance abuse or mental health issues — read: stress, anxiety or depression — than the general public. Reel is the assistant director of the Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, also known as JLAP.

JLAP was created by the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2000, and provides mental health and substance abuse services to the state’s judges and lawyers, as well as their family members. Reel said JLAP handles about 50 to 60 client referrals a year.

“This isn’t just a substance abuse program,” Reel said. “It’s an all-encompassing employee assistance program.”

Reel said studies routinely indicate that 16 to 20 percent of judges and lawyers suffer from either substance abuse or mental health problems. That compares to about 10 percent for the general public.

Perhaps more alarmingly, Reel said 30 to 40 percent of third-year law students have a diagnosable mental health or mood disorder. JLAP now addresses those issues, too, through a three-year pilot program begun in January. The program services law students at the University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

“The whole point is to see what we’re dealing with,” Reel said. “So far we’ve gotten some pretty heady results in terms of response.”

JLAP is funded by portions of dues paid by members of the state’s bar association. A total of $30 of every member’s dues goes to help with the work done by Reel and executive director Sarah Cearley. Both are licensed social workers.

“They can come as frequently or infrequently as they want to,” Reel said of JLAP clients. “This is the lawyers’ program.”

Predictably, confidentiality is one of the biggest hurdles, Reel said. That’s especially true in Arkansas, a relatively small state with a close-knit legal community.

Reel said that’s why confidentiality is the first subject covered when new clients contact JLAP. Reel said the majority of clients are self-referrals.

The first level of confidentiality is tied to Reel’s and Cearley’s professional codes as mental health professionals. JLAP also enjoys immunity from the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Once that is established, Reel said, clients are given appointments for assessment. That’s usually accomplished in one or two sessions.

After that, recommendations for beneficial services are made.

“It’s a collaborative effort and agreement,” Reel said.

It’s also one he said can be very successful when initial trust concerns are allayed.

“We know clients aren’t going to make real progress unless they have confidence and trust in us,” Reel said. “If they feel like we’re a safe place to come, they’ll do the work.”

Reel and Cearley handle therapeutic services as well as administrative duties, a setup that often leaves them stretched thin. Reel’s focus is on Northwest Arkansas, while Cearley focuses on the central part of the state.

“We really cast a pretty broad net over the state,” Reel said.

JLAP has instituted a volunteer program to help alleviate some of the workload. About 30 people attended the first volunteer training session in October.

“Those volunteers are basically eyes and ears that serve as links to us,” Reel said.

In another effort to facilitate contact from potential clients, JLAP has set up a confidential e-mail account ([email protected]) and telephone number (501-907-2529).