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It’s a Tall Order: Promoting Mental Health in the Legal Community. ORALL 2018 Maggie Kiel-Morse & Amy Burchfield, presenters Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Library.
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It’s a Tall Order: Promoting Mental Health in the Legal Community ORALL 2018 Maggie Kiel-Morse & Amy Burchfield, presenters Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Library
Taking action on lawyer well-being benefits organizational effectiveness, promotes ethical integrity, and recognizes our human connections. • Many lawyers and law students struggle with depression, anxiety, and stress, which both causes and is exacerbated by substance use. • Lawyers and law students often hesitate to seek help because of concern over lingering stigma, threat to bar admission and/or career advancement. • Problems can impact all areas of legal profession, and everyone must acknowledge and become proactive in addressing situation. Quiz Review:Top Takeaways
Refocus with 4 – 7 – 8 Breathing Mindfulness Pause
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Toolkit for Law Students and Those Who Care About Them: ABA Law Student Division, CoLAP, Dave Nee Foundation, https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/lawyer_assistance/ls_colap_mental_health_toolkit_new.authcheckdam.pdf • Signs and handouts around the library on recognizing symptoms and where to go for help • Address mental health issues during orientation and offer programming throughout the year • Add resources to the library collection on mental health, depression, anxiety, CBT • Emphasize the confidential nature of Lawyer Assistance Programs and campus counseling services ForStudents:
The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change: National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, ABA CoLAP, et al., http://lawyerwellbeing.net/ • Partner with Lawyer Assistance Programs • Facilitate mentoring and sponsorship programs • Form a Lawyer Well-Being Committee to address policies, procedures, aspects of work environment • Promote social events that do not revolve around alcohol • Support efforts to adopt rules of professionalism/civility within courts and firms ForAttorneys:
Learn the signs and symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety • Practice techniques for talking to someone who is at risk • Monitor your own levels and develop a personal mindfulness practice • Watch out for compassion fatigue For Us:
Ensure that students have access to and information about available resources for wellness and academic success. • Ensure that faculty, staff and students recognize the warning signs of mental illness, emotional disturbance, and substance abuse/addiction, and encourage them to act. • Create a method for students to more effectively bring concerns to the attention of the College of Law administration. Strategic PlanGoal: Enhance Student, Faculty & Staff Success