A lot of discussion ensues about TLAP’s monitoring in cases involving formal disciplinary referrals, but it is very important for the profession to know that those cases are by far the smallest percentage of TLAP’s case load.

The majority of TLAP’s support is rendered quietly behind the scenes in totally confidential cases wherein the person has discretely reached out to TLAP voluntarily and needs TLAP’s help. In total privacy, all of us begin working collaboratively together toward solutions and recovery.

In fact, in FY 2021-2022, fifty-six percent (56%) of TLAP’s new cases were totally confidential self-referrals, and thirteen percent (13%) were confidential cases referred by concerned third parties (such as friends, family, or law firm members). Thus, the vast majority of TLAP’s cases do not have any BLE or BPR involvement. Twelve percent (12%) of TLAP’s cases were BLE referrals, and another twelve percent (12%) were BPR referrals. Seven percent (7%) were referrals from Law School Deans, Judges, the Board of Judicial Conduct, and other state LAPs.

Also, of important note, fifty-three percent (53%) of TLAP’s new cases were limited to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. These cases did not have any component of alcohol or drug issues.

Only thirty-three percent (33%) of TLAP’s new cases last year included Substance Use Disorders. The other fourteen percent (14%) of cases presented with a myriad of issues such as marital conflict, financial distress, performance productivity, cognitive impairment, stress, eating disorder, domestic abuse, and compulsive behaviors.

These statistics bear witness to the fact that issues such as depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, burnout, vicarious trauma, and others have outstripped alcohol and addiction issues in our profession.

The good news is that TLAP is providing help and assistance in all such cases. Most important, TLAP is well-known as a trusted, free, confidential, and anonymous resource for legal professionals. By design, the bulk of TLAP’s support is rendered quietly and discretely behind the scenes.