| THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Our Values OLAP is committed to provide high quality services based on:
The Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program (OLAP) reflects the commitment and acknowledges the responsibility of the legal profession to assist its members- lawyers, law students, judges, and their families- who experience personal and/or professional distress. Even Lawyers Need Help Sometimes Depression. Drug or alcohol dependency. Stress or burnout. Family problems. Job loss. Financial pressures. Lawyers are not immune to the realities of life. No matter what the issue, if you--or someone you know--is in difficulty, OLAP is here to help. We live in a world of rapid change. Law practice is an exacting profession. In this competitive, stress-filled world of rapid change, practicing law carries many challenges. The result? The pressures can take a toll on your personal and professional life. Illness, burnout, chronic stress, marital conflicts, alcohol or drug dependency and other difficulties may affect you.
How Does It Work? When you call OLAP directly we listen to your concerns, assess, make suggestions for action, refer you to appropriate resources, and maintain contact to determine that you get the help required. The 24 hr helpline is a link to OLAP and will make sure that you get in touch with a person who can help. The helpline does not provide direct counselling. OLAP is a network of lawyers who help lawyers. If you need to talk to someone who will listen without judgment... If you are looking for someone who can understand what you are going through... If you are wondering if there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Who Can Call? Any member of the legal profession in Ontario--lawyers, law students, judges, or his or her family members--can ask for help. If you have a law partner, associate, spouse, boss or parent who you believe is having problems and you're not sure how to help, you can call OLAP for advice. Who Are OLAP Volunteers? Our volunteers are lawyers who have faced difficulties and have found a way to solve their problems. OLAP volunteers understand the pressures of law practice. They know the toll that distress takes. They can offer you suggestions, refer you to appropriate professional help or just listen. Volunteers have access to training and a network of lawyer assistance programs throughout North America. We can offer help before a situation takes a major toll on your personal or professional life. If you are interested in becoming a peer volunteer with OLAP call the following, or complete the Application Form listed on this website.
What Does It Cost? The services of OLAP are provided at no cost to you. The program is funded by LawPRO (Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company), the Law Society of Upper Canada, and supported by the Ontario Bar Association and by Ontario lawyers. OLAP is a registered charity and operates confidentially and reports to an independent Board of Directors. Confidentiality All contacts with OLAP and volunteers are completely confidential. No information is provided to anyone without your written permission and signed consent. If you are concerned about a fellow lawyer or a family member, your call is welcome. The information is treated in confidence and no one needs to know about your call.
Legal Profession Assistance Conference (LPAC) |Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) | Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia (BCLAP) | Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program (NSLAP) | Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) | The Lawyers Assistance Program (LINK) | The Alberta Lawyers Assistance Program | Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (Saskatchewan) | The Lawyers Professional Indemnity Company (LawPRO) | Law Practice Consulting |
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Why an Assistance Program? 
