In this month’s Washington Lawyer, DC Bar President Shirley Ann Higuchi describes the benefits of seeking therapy for depression or anxiety, and praises the local Lawyer Counseling Program. (from the president, “Lawyer Counseling Program: Proven Results, Problems Resolved,” March 2004)
Caveat: Those experiencing such problems should indeed seek help, but I wonder about the effects of mental health therapy on the ability of lawyers to obtain or keep disability insurance.– especially solos and those in small firms, who do not have group disability policies available.
I have personally seen disability coverage refused to lawyers who have had conventional, weekly outpatient therapy for mild forms of depression or anxiety (particularly, if any kind of medication was taken). The reason given for refusing coverage is the fact that depression is the leading form of lawyer disability claims, or near the top, in all states. Such disability firms even refuse to offer disability coverage containing a specific exclusion for depression. The resulting lack of coverage could become a major source of anxiety on its own.
This kind of mental health blackballing probably happens for other professionals seeking disability coverage. Lawyers can and should, however, take the lead in seeking to find solutions that do not penalize those who have sought or are seeking counseling for psychological or emotional problems.
The problem of lawyers being turned down for disability could be tied to the broader problem of what is happening throughout the country regarding disability plans. A good article can be found here: Nasty Business
Comment by Janell Grenier — March 14, 2004 @ 10:16 pm
The problem of lawyers being turned down for disability could be tied to the broader problem of what is happening throughout the country regarding disability plans. A good article can be found here: Nasty Business
Comment by Janell Grenier — March 14, 2004 @ 10:16 pm
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