Two new funds have been created to help judges, attorneys, and law students who need assistance in treating mental health or dependency issues, the Indiana Supreme Court announced today.

The high court's Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program is teaming up with the Indiana Bar Foundation and the Indiana State Bar Association to create the JLAP Treatment and Grant fund and the Friends of JLAP fund.

The Treatment and Grant fund will make grants to attorneys who are in need of treatment but can't afford it. About $30,000 from attorney registration fees was used to create that fund. The Friends of JLAP fund will support the program's general mission, such as treatment grants, educational outreach, and volunteer training.

JLAP plans to ask for donations from attorneys, law firms, malpractice carriers, and others for support of both funds.

Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard mentioned these grants at the ISBA's annual meeting last week, noting the court had made many budget cuts and freezes, but the JLAP money was the only increase in the next budget.

The ISBA Board of Governors also has allocated up to $5,000 to help address emergency assessment or monitoring needs of attorneys.