Suicide Awareness Campaign

This campaign has a dual purpose, directed toward lawyers and judges who are suffering from anxiety and depression and may be at risk for suicide, as well as all Bar members, who need to recognize the severity of the problem.

12 Warning Signs

The Dave Nee Foundation, based in New York and created in the wake of the 2005 suicide of Fordham University law student Dave Nee, lists these 12 signs you might notice in yourself or a friend that may give cause for concern and at least point to a need to talk with someone:

• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, depressed mood, poor self-esteem or guilt
• Withdrawal from friends, family and activities that used to be fun
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Are you sleeping all the time? Or having trouble falling asleep?
• Are you gaining weight or never hungry?
• Anger, rage or craving for revenge
• Sometimes people notice they are overreacting to criticism
• Feeling tired or exhausted all of the time
• Trouble concentrating, thinking, remembering or making decisions
• Are you suddenly struggling in school or at work?
• Sometimes academic or professional performance suffers and grades drop or work product worsens
• Restless, irritable, agitated or anxious movements or behaviors
• Regular crying
• Neglect of personal care
• Have you stopped caring about your appearance or stopped keeping up with your personal hygiene?
• Reckless or impulsive behaviors
• Are you drinking or using drugs excessively?
• Are you behaving unsafely in other ways?
• Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems or chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment
• Thoughts about death or suicide

Relevant Reports and Articles

• NEW: Author Clancy Martin on “How Not to Kill Yourself”
• The Texas Bar's Lawyers Assistance Program suicide awareness video: "Just Ask: How We Must Stop Minding Our Own Business in the Legal World" (26:45)
• A Lawyer Who Survived His Suicide Attempt Recounts His Experience by Jonathan Ringel
• Reflecting on Her Father, Yates Tackles Suicide Prevention by Meredith Hobbs
• Can We Stop Suicides? by Moises Velasquez-Manoff
• The Best Way to Save People From Suicide by Jascon Cherkis
• Solomon Thomas: My sister 'was the light of my life'
• 'Concerns,' but no Consequences, after Suicides in Mental Health System
• With Youth Suicide on the Rise, Outreach Targets Parents
• As Attorney Suicides Mount, a Survivor Speaks Out
• 'Big Law Killed My Husband': An Open Letter From a Sidley Partner's Widow
• 'Finding Hope: Battling America's Suicide Crisis'
• Suicide Rising Across the US
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• Treatment
• Education Programs
• Georgia's Chapter of AFSP
• Support for Survivors

Dealing With Issues?

If you are dealing with one or more of these issues or know someone who is, please take advantage of the State Bar's confidential Lawyer Assistance Program hotline at 800-327-9631. Staffed by trained counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the hotline is for lawyers and judges who have personal problems that are causing significant concerns. LAP also offers up to six prepaid in-person counseling sessions with a licensed counselor per year. To help meet the needs of its members and ensure confidentiality, the Bar contracts the services of CorpCare Associates Inc. Employee Assistance Program, a Georgia-headquartered national counseling agency.