When Terry and I attended the 14th Annual Commission on Lawyer Assistance Program's (CoLAP) Annual Workshop in Albuquerque this fall, depression seemed to be one topic uppermost in everyone's mind. A gathering of LAP staff and volunteers from around the country, the Workshop is the place we see what others are up to, spot trends and gauge how Indiana is doing in providing assistance to our impaired colleagues. It became clear that the increasing depression caseload we are seeing here in Indiana is much the same experience as that of other LAPS around the country who provide "broad brush" programs (and many states with "substance abuse only" programs are quickly seeing the need to expand). While confirming what many believe - that depression is at least as prevalent in our profession as addiction - we hope it also shows that we are finally reaching people with our message that help exists. Kathy Cronkite, who has publicly acknowledged her own depression, and that of many other well known individuals, in her book, On The Edge of Darkness: Conversations About Conquering Depression, poignantly refers to "that illuminating moment when you realize you are not alone". This opportunity to talk to you is a part of our reaching out process.

Below, JLAP Clinical Director Terry Harrell gives you a primer on depression. We will undoubtedly cover the topic again in future articles. If you are interested, we can refer you to many wonderful resources, please feel free to call us. In addition to Kathy Cronkite's book, William Styron does a truly superb job of defining his depression in his book Darkness Visible. Finally, the single most often expressed reason LAPs have expanded into the mental health arena is the incidence of suicide among our colleagues. As Terry reiterates below, at JLAP we hope our work will lead to the elimination of suicide as the option chosen by our colleagues. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please call us. And know that you are most assuredly not alone.