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Program Services

Confidential Helpline/Hotline Assistance

NM Lawyer Assistance Confidential Helpline
505-420-8179
Call or text available!
If you are struggling or notice a colleague struggling, the NM LAP offers assistance through an immediate helpline. All calls are CONFIDENTIAL, and you can remain anonymous if you so choose. This service is designed for attorneys, paralegals, law students, law clerks, and all other legal staff.

NM Judicial Helpline
505-797-6097
If you are a judge struggling or notice a fellow judge struggling, the NM Judicial Wellness Program offers assistance through an immediate helpline. All calls are CONFIDENTIAL, and you can remain anonymous if you so choose.

What if I or Someone I Know Is in Crisis?
If you are thinking about harming yourself, or know someone who is, tell someone who can help immediately.

  • Do not leave the person alone, and do not isolate yourself
  • Call your doctor.
  • Call 911 or go to a hospital ER to get immediate assistance or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
  • Call the 24-hour NM Crisis Line to speak with a supportive clinical professional at 1-855-662-7474; TTY: 1-855-227-5485.
  • Call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; TTY: 1-800-799-4889. to talk with a trained counselor.

Please note: We do not offer legal advice or assist those looking for legal representation. This is a mental health and referral service for the NM Legal Community.

In addition to 24-hour helplines, the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program (NM LAP) provides confidential assessments, referrals, peer assistance, consultations, interventions, presentations, and monitoring services.

Professional Assessments

Substance abuse and mental health assessments are available at no cost for law students and all members of the Bar and Bench. Assessments typically consist of one to two sessions; call 505-797-6003 to schedule.

Referrals

If an assessment indicates a need for counseling or treatment, NM LAP will provide the person with information regarding the most appropriate resource(s).  NM LAP maintains referral resources across the state and country that include private therapists, physicians, and private and state-funded treatment facilities.

Peer Assistance

NM LAP volunteers are lawyers and judges committed to providing peer assistance to their colleagues. Most volunteers are individuals who, having received help for their own substance abuse and/or mental health problems, are interested in sharing their experiences with colleagues who face similar challenges.

Our volunteers know how important confidentiality is to a legal professional in crisis and are trained to help in a variety of ways: providing one-to-one peer assistance, participating in interventions, introducing others to local support groups and to other lawyers in recovery, making presentations, etc.

Support Groups

Corona Virus Update: Due to COVID-19 spread, NMJLAP will be altering the way the legal community can engage with the support groups.

Monday Night Support Group: Every Monday night at 5:30 p.m. Zoom only. 

Request the Zoom Link

Clinical Consultations

Whether you’re concerned about a colleague, a family member, or yourself, a professional counselor and peer assistants are available to listen, share experiences, and discuss options. Don’t worry if you don’t know what’s causing the problem, or even if you’re unsure whether a problem exists; We will explore options with you and initiate an action plan appropriate to the circumstances and the individual in need. Consultations are available by telephone or in person, and may even be done anonymously.

Policy and Program Consultations

Drug-Free Workplace programs improve productivity, reduce costs, and help protect employers and employees from the potentially devastating consequences of alcohol/other drug abuse. The foundation of a successful program is a written policy that clearly prohibits alcohol and other drug use in the workplace, and encourages employees to voluntarily seek assistance for alcohol/other drug problems. Other program components may include employee education, drug testing, and employee assistance services. For further information,
contact the NM LAP administrator at 505-797-6003. 

Interventions

Sadly, many individuals don’t seek help for themselves even when they are suffering emotionally and losing control of their lives. Brushing aside concerns or waiting and hoping the person will independently seek help usually guarantees that the problem and its associated consequences will progressively worsen. The earlier an individual receives treatment for a mental health or substance abuse problem, the better their prognosis. Sometimes it takes only a concerned person willing to speak up to break through the inertia or denial of the impaired professional; other situations require a formal intervention involving several concerned persons (colleagues, friends, relatives). In either scenario, NM LAP is ready to assist.

Reporting Situations Involving Professional Misconduct

Legal professionals are required to inform the appropriate professional authority of violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct when the conduct raises a substantial question as to the individual’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness. When substance abuse or mental health is believed to be involved, making a report directly to the NM LAP may be an appropriate alternative to the Disciplinary Board. Doing so provides an important opportunity for professional assistance that might not otherwise occur, and may avert civil liability for the reporting professional. 

Educational Presentations

NM LAP staff and peers offer presentations for State Bar associations and sections, private firms, and legal governmental departments on a variety of topics including, stress reduction, substance abuse, and depression. Call NMJLAP at 505-797-6003 for more information. 

Recovery Monitoring

In situations where a individual’s impairment has resulted in ethical, disciplinary, or employment problems, NM LAP can provide a monitoring function to assist the recovering impaired professional demonstrate to the court or employer that he or she is maintaining recovery appropriately.

Additional Resources

New Mexico Crisis and Access Line is toll free and is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 1 (855) NMCRISIS (622-7474). www.nmcrisisline.com