WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Jun 5, 2023
If you are a lawyer and need help, please contact the Law Society’s Member Assistance Program.
Language matters
The words you use can make all the difference. Words can help, but they can also hurt.
Educate yourself
Stigma has been around for a long time. knowing the facts and myths about mental illness can be a great way to help end the stigma. Become a stigma buster!
Be Kind
Simple kindness can make a world of difference. Whether it be a smile, being a good listener or an invitation for coffee and a chat, these simple acts of kindness can help open up the conversation and let someone know you are there for them.
Expressions like “You’ll get over it” and “Just relax” can minimize how a person is feeling. Instead offer your support and say “I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.” Ask what you can do to help.
Listen
Mental illness is a very common form of human pain and suffering. Being a good listener and asking how you can help, sometimes just even being there for people you care about, can be the first step in recovery.
Talk about it
Break the silence. Mental illness touches us all in some way directly or through a friend, family member or colleague. Stories of people who have experienced mental health issues and who are doing well can really challenge stereotypes. Most people with mental health issues can and do recover, some just by talking about it.
Other helpful tips
To help you be part of the conversation, the Bell Let’s Talk Conversation Guide was created. It provides information and resources on how you can facilitate a conversation in your community, as well as guidelines on how to have conversations with people you care about and may be concerned about.
Download Bell’s Conversation guide
WELLNESS OF THE CANADIAN LEGAL PROFESSION
The wellness of legal professionals is a growing concern in Canada. In 2019, the Federation of Law Society of Canada’s annual conference explored wellness within the legal profession. Feedback from the conference and results of a study on well-being conducted among Quebec lawyers supported the need for a national study on the matter. The Quebec study was the first of its kind in Canada.
The conference and study both revealed that legal professionals are at higher risk of experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and substance use than are other professionals. The lack of data on the mental health of legal professionals across Canada represented a critical knowledge gap that had to be filled to properly inform and advance mental health and wellness initiatives.
As a result the Federation, in collaboration with Canada’s law societies and the Canadian Bar Association, partnered with the Université de Sherbrooke to conduct the first comprehensive national study on the wellness of legal professionals in Canada. Phase I of the study gathered evidence to determine the scope of the problem, distinguish regional differences and explore the causes of substance use and poor health outcomes in the profession. Ultimately, the study will enable us to better support the wellness of legal professionals.
The Phase I report was published in October 2022. FAQs about the study are also available, along with an executive summary and recommendations from the report.
A video of Dr. Cadieux’s presentation of the study results at the Federation conference is available here.
LEARN MORE
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis.
Course participants will learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and encourage that person to:
- Talk about declines in their mental well-being
- Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being
- Reach out to these supports
- Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis
- Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental well-being
VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON
*min. of 8 and max. of 25 participants for online/virtual courses
*min. of 8 and max. of 15 participants for in-person
(as mandated by the Mental Health Commission of Canada)
$200 per participant (Law Assn. Members = $175pp – just mention FOLA)
MENTAL HEALTH SPEAKER -BETH BEATTIE
ABOUT BETH BEATTIE
You may remember that Beth Beattie (who spoke at FOLA’s May 2021 Plenary and who the LSO featured during their Mental Health for Legal Professionals Summit) has emailed FOLA to offer her serviced to any our Law Associations who might like her to speak to your members.
She noted that 68% of all attendees from the LSO’s Mental Health Summit were from outside the GTA and many were sole practitioners or came from small firms – meaning that your members are likely interested in learning more.
Beth is currently Senior Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General Civil Law Division, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care Branch. Her talk would include her sharing her personal story of living with bipolar disorder while working as a lawyer; addressing the prevalence of mental illness in law offices and the isolation and stigma associated with it especially; and the array of reasons why lawyers choose not to disclose mental illness and how certain barriers can be overcome.
She would also offer tips for getting (and staying) well, signs to look for in colleagues who may not be doing well and how best to support them, and strategies if one chooses to reveal a mental illness at work.
If you would like to invite Beth to speak to your organization, please email Katie (katie.robinette@fola.ca) with proposed times/dates and indicate the name of your Law Association and she will pass that information on to Beth.
BETH AT FOLA’S SPRING 2021 PLENARY
Curious about what Beth might talk about? Check out her video from FOLA’s Spring 2021 Plenary!
WHYTALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?
THIS IS WHY!
FOLA knows our community could use some help: too many lawyers are struggling – a high rate of lawyers experience some level of problem drinking, depression, and anxiety (according to a study of nearly 13,000 practicing lawyers commissioned by the American Bar Association and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation found).
If you are a lawyer and need help, please contact the Law Society’s Member Assistance Program.
A CASE FOR WELLBEING
It’s no secret that our profession is buckling under the weight of stress, anxiety, substance use, and depression. But we’re all in this together, and our colleagues are suffering. Let’s end lawyer suicide, destigmatize mental health challenges, and promote wellness in our profession.
Learn how to find balance in your life and practice, identify the warning signs in yourself and others, and create a culture of wellness in your workplace.
HEAR FROM LAWYERS HOW TO BALANCE YOUR LIFE
LAWYER WELLBEING: AN UNCHARTED PATH TO INCREASING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
How can we address the corrosive culture that promulgates incivility, overwork, and alcohol consumption as a badge of honor at the root of the profession’s diversity problem?
In 2017, the American Bar Association’s the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being issued a comprehensive report titled The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change in that urged all stakeholders to develop initiatives to change the unhealthy state of affairs.
MAKE MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY!
WHY TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?
Many people living with a mental illness (including lawyers and/or their clients) report that negative stereotypes about mental illness, and the resulting potential for discrimination, cause them more suffering – and more often in silence – than the illness itself.
As a result, two thirds of those suffering from mental illness are too afraid to seek the help that they need.
FOLA knows our community could use some help: too many lawyers are struggling – a high rate of lawyers experience some level of problem drinking, depression, and anxiety (according to a study of nearly 13,000 practicing lawyers commissioned by the American Bar Association and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation). Self-medicating is not the solution!
But there is help. Talk to your doctor and seek professional help. With medication, and/or and proper self care, most people with mental illnesses are fully treatable. But no one gets better in isolation. Shame and silence makes it worse.
Please join FOLA as we as we work together to break the silence around mental illness.
READ THE 2019 REPORT “CREATING A WELL-BEING MOVEMENT IN THE UTAH LEGAL COMMUNITY” BY THE UTAH TASK FORCE ON LAWYER AND JUDGE WELL-BEING.
If you are a lawyer and need help, please contact:
TWITTER-FRIENDLY MENTAL HEALTH FACTS (& FICTION)
Fast Fact about #MentalIllness #1: Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague @Ont_Law_Assoc
Fast Fact about #MentalIllness #2: In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a #mentalhealth problem or illness @Ont_Law_Assoc
Fast Fact about #MentalIllness #3: Mental illness does not discriminate: It affects people of all ages, education, income levels, and cultures @Ont_Law_Assoc
#MentalHealth Myth #4: #MentalHealth doesn’t affect me. FACT: We all need to take care of our mental health #HealthyMind, #HealthyBody @Ont_Law_Assoc
#MentalHealth Myth #5: People w/ a #mentalillness never get better. FACT: Treatments are avail & full #recovery is attainable. It may involve more than just drugs; it also may include being socially & physically active @Ont_Law_Assoc
#MentalHealth Myth #6: #Psychiatric disorders are not true illnesses. FACTS: Unlike a broken leg, #mentalillness can been invisible. They exist in our #brain chemistry and can be diagnosed @Ont_Law_Assoc
#MentalHealth Myth #7: People w/ a mental illness lack intelligence. FACT: The level of intelligence among people w/ #mentalillness parallels healthy populations @Ont_Law_Assoc
#MentalHealth Myth #8: People w/ a #mentalillness shouldn’t have jobs. FACT: People w/ mental illness can & do function well in the workplace. With a proper treatment plan, they can thrive as well as anyone else @Ont_Law_Assoc
#MentalHealth Myth #9: People w/ mental illnesses just can’t handle stress. Fact: #Stress impacts well-being, but this is true for everyone. Taking care of yourself & asking for help are signs of #strength not weakness @Ont_Law_Assoc
Looking for an image to add to your tweet? Check out our photo gallery below and then right click on any pic & save for easy sharing!
Want to learn what you can do? Here are some tips.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ALL YEAR LONG!
Don’t have time to create your own tweets? Don’t know what to Tweet? Want images to go with those tweets FOLA has you covered!
FOLA has created and curated tweets that you copy and paste, We have #mentalwellness tips, #mentalhealth and #mentalillness facts and myths, images, and more. All geared to lawyers.
Because we think Lawyers need to talk about #mentalhealth too.
*****HAVE IMAGES AND/OR CONTECT TO SHARE? WE MIGHT FEATURE IT HERE. SEND CONTENT SUGGESTIONS TO KATIE AT:
katie.robinette@fola.ca and but Mental Health in the subject line.*****
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
ABOUT MENTALWELLNESS.HELP
Each MeetUp group is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL and operated independently of MAP.
These groups have been in operation since 2015 and most, recently during COVID, have moved to an on-line format.
The format is one hour long. Each person may (but doesn’t have to) share how their mental wellness is affecting them. They can then get “feedback” from another member (which is empathy or a technique which has worked for that other member…no host will tell someone what they “should” do…as they are professionals).
PLUS: Mental Wellness is now also offering free professional therapy for Law Association Members!
Through their partner, Nexim Healthcare Consultants, they have been able to get access to licenced, professional therapists at a greatly reduced rate. Using donations provided by local organizations (such as the Rotary Club) they are able to cover the entire cost of up to five (5) sessions of professional therapy for each person.
MORE ABOUT MENTALWELLNESS.HELP
The groups have been very popular as they offer three significant benefits:
1. Members learn that they are not alone, and that there are others like them suffering;
2. Members can unburden themselves to a sympathetic ear…rather than continue to over-burden their spouse or parents who don’t have the lived-history to help;
3. Members can get real-world suggestions of techniques which others have used successfully.
Here are some important links:
- MentalWellness.Help
- Find them on FaceBook
- Link to their MeetUp page to join a meeting
- Scroll down for some videos
If you have any questions about the groups, please contact Jason at admin@mentalwellness.help.
They are listed with ConnexOntario, and receive support from the City of Toronto through Community Centre 55 and local Rotary Clubs.
VIDEO: WELCOME TO VIRTUAL MENTAL WELLNESS
When Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer support group meetings take place on-line, this video gives a quick overview of how the group functions.
If you would like to start your own group, please contact Jason at admin@mentalwellness.help.
If you, or anyone you know, wishes to make a donation to support this endeavour, or if you wish to discuss how you can help, please contact Jason at: admin@MentalWellness.help
VIDEO: MENTAL WELLNESS PEER SUPPORT GROUPS – OUTREACH
Join a group for FREE, CONFIDENTIAL peer support with your Mental Wellness challenge!
These groups, which have been running since 2015, have helped many, many people deal with their own challenges, be it depression, anxiety, hoarding, PTSD, stress, OCD, worry, etc…
The virtual, video meetings are conducted using the Zoom platform, are 1 hour long, and there are many many meetings each week. At a meeting, each member may, but does not have to, share how their mental wellness challenge has been affecting them recently. If desired, a member can receive feedback from other members, which might include empathy and best practices for what has worked well for the other member when they were in “your shoes”.
LSO’S WELL-BEING RESOURCE CENTRE
The Law Society is committed to supporting the well-being of Ontario’s legal professionals and those entering the professions. Preserving, enhancing and investing in personal health, particularly mental health, is critical to the success of any legal practice and protects and serves the public interest.
As a legal professional, your work may pose real challenges to your mental health. Research shows legal professionals are almost twice as likely to experience mental health issues like anxiety, stress, depression and addiction as the general population. The LSO’s Well-Being Resource Centre brings together a number of Law Society and community resources to support well-being in the professions.
Did you know? Ontario lawyers, paralegals, licensing candidates, Ontario law students, paralegal students, judges (and eligible family members) have access to a Member Assistance Program (MAP). It is a free, fully confidential service provided by Homewood Health. It is funded by the Law Society of Ontario and LAWPRO.
MAP provides secure, single sign-on access to counselling, coaching, online resources and peer volunteers. Members can get professional help with issues related to addictions, mental or physical health, work-life balance, career, family and more.
LAWYER WELLNESS
STRESS/ANXIETY/DEPRESSION
Stress Strategies: A free online tool by the Psychology Foundation of Canada that gives practical ways to cope with stress.
BC Lawyer Assistance Program: Stress Management
7 science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety from Jelana Kecmanovic, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Georgetown University
OBA WELLNESS RESOURCES
The Ontario Bar Association has a host of wellness resources, including a 30-day fitness challenge, quick tips, and a CPD series.
SADNESS VS. DEPRESSION – a video
ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE – a video
Learn how you can create your own happiness
Want more resources?
VISIT OBA LAWYER WELLNESS PAGE
DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL?
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who think they have a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.
American Bar Association: Alcohol Use Disorders – signs & symptoms.
ABA Podcast: Substance Abuse and Mental Illness in the Legal Profession.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness Without Borders (MWB) is a leading provider of best practices and evidenced-based programs on secular mindfulness and social-emotional intelligence to youth, educators, health and corporate professionals in communities around the world. MWB offers in-person and on-line workshops, produce a fantastic blog, and have lots of resources on their website.
MUSE, a Personal Meditation Assistant from Toronto’s Interaxon, is wearable tech at its best! It’s a headband that, when paired with their app, gives you feedback about your meditation in real time by translating your brain signals into the sounds of weather.
YOUR WELLBEING – CMHA
Mental health means striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental. Reaching a balance is a learning process. At times, you may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find your footing again. Your personal balance will be unique, and your challenge will be to stay mentally healthy by keeping that balance.
Information and suggestions from the Canadian Mental Health Association to help you keep your balance.
CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL CMHA
HELPGUIDE.ORG
HelpGuide is a nonprofit mental health and wellness website. Their mission is to provide empowering, evidence-based information that you can use to help yourself and your loved ones.
It’s 100% ad-free and not for profit.
MORE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
LET’S BE WELL TOGETHER-PODCAST
John Webster, a member of the Waterloo Region Law Association, has started a podcast called “Let’s Be Well Together” about mental health and wellness in the legal profession. It is a weekly podcast that is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google podcasts.
PEER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you’re an empathetic and caring lawyer who has struggled in the past with addiction, mental health, or other serious issues, consider helping colleagues facing similar struggles by volunteering for MAP’s confidential Peer Support Program.
The Peer Support Program, an integral part of the Member Assistance Program, offers peer-to-peer support to lawyers. No experience is necessary!
Homewood Health provides all volunteers with on-going training on effective ways to support others in the profession. The program is administrated by People Corporation to ensure the full confidentiality of all client information.
For more information about this volunteer opportunity, send an email to peervolunteer@peoplecorporation.com or call 1.855.403.8922.
WORK-LIFE: A CASE FOR WELLBEING
It’s no secret that our profession is buckling under the weight of stress, anxiety, substance use, and depression. But we’re all in this together, and our colleagues are suffering. Let’s end lawyer suicide, destigmatize mental health challenges, and promote wellness in our profession. Read on to learn how to find balance in your life and practice, identify the warning signs in yourself and others, and create a culture of wellness in your workplace.
LISTEN TO THESE PERSONAL STORIES FROM THE TEXAS STATE BAR:
DEALING WITH STRESS AS A LAW STUDENT
OUT OF STRESS THROUGH MEDITATION
FROM SUICIDAL THOUGHTS TO HEALTHY
FINDING YOUR HEALTHY PLACE AWAY FROM WORK
EVERYTHING WAS NOT OK – A SUICIDE ATTEMPT
THE INTENSITIES OF LAW SCHOOL AND INTERVIEWING
DEPRESSION BECAME SO MUCH IT FORCED A CALL FOR HELP
WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH
CONVERSATION GUIDE
To help you be part of the conversation, the Bell Let’s Talk Conversation Guide was created. It provides information and resources on how you can facilitate a conversation in your community, as well as guidelines on how to have conversations with people you care about and may be concerned about.
And check out the video above to see a powerful anti-stigma campaign by Healthy Minds Canada.
MANAGING TEAMS FROM A DISTANCE
Below are some quick tips on leading through today’s changing environment:
Leading from a distance: Video
Protecting your team’s wellbeing: Video
Leading Through Change: Lessons in Inclusion: Article
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health: Plan for Resilience: PDF
5 Tips for Remote Working (from the OBA): Article
ARTICLES & REPORTS OF INTEREST
Warning signs: Why it’s important for lawyers and firms to be proactive about mental health – PracticePRO
Understanding mental health in the legal profession – PracticePRO
The Employer’s COVID-19 Return to the Workplace Playbook in Canada – Osler
Understanding mental health and mental illness and their impacts in the workplace – Morneau Shepell
RESOURCES
Medcan offers employee health solutions bridge the gap between your benefits plan and the health needs of your employees. Plus, they have some amazing resources for you and your family.
The Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace is a leading source of free, practical tools and resources designed to help Canadian employers with the prevention, intervention and management of workplace mental health issues. All tools and resources are available in English and French to anyone, anywhere, at no cost.
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
If you are a lawyer and need help, please contact the Law Society’s Member Assistance Program.
Language matters
The words you use can make all the difference. Words can help, but they can also hurt.
Educate yourself
Stigma has been around for a long time. knowing the facts and myths about mental illness can be a great way to help end the stigma. Become a stigma buster!
Be Kind
Simple kindness can make a world of difference. Whether it be a smile, being a good listener or an invitation for coffee and a chat, these simple acts of kindness can help open up the conversation and let someone know you are there for them.
Expressions like “You’ll get over it” and “Just relax” can minimize how a person is feeling. Instead offer your support and say “I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.” Ask what you can do to help.
Listen
Mental illness is a very common form of human pain and suffering. Being a good listener and asking how you can help, sometimes just even being there for people you care about, can be the first step in recovery.
Talk about it
Break the silence. Mental illness touches us all in some way directly or through a friend, family member or colleague. Stories of people who have experienced mental health issues and who are doing well can really challenge stereotypes. Most people with mental health issues can and do recover, some just by talking about it.
Other helpful tips
To help you be part of the conversation, the Bell Let’s Talk Conversation Guide was created. It provides information and resources on how you can facilitate a conversation in your community, as well as guidelines on how to have conversations with people you care about and may be concerned about.
Download Bell’s Conversation guide
HUMAN SERVICES & JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMITTEES (HSJCCS)
RELEASE FROM CUSTODY COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
The Provincial HSJCC is looking for members to join a community of practice focused on addressing release from custody issues across Ontario.
Regional and Local HSJCCs have repeatedly reported that clients are being released from custody without appropriate discharge planning, connections to housing or community supports. These issues have been further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the Provincial HSJCC has committed to identifying ways the HSJCC Network can coordinate efforts of our members across Ontario.
The P-HSJCC Release from Custody Community of Practice will be made up of members from across the HSJCC Network who work in the housing, health and justice sectors that support and coordinate efforts for those being released from correctional institutions. Members will raise issues and brainstorm solutions at a Local, Regional, and Provincial level. This may include connecting clients to housing, finding transportation to home communities and sharing creative practices across the province.
The Community of Practice will meet on a regular basis via teleconference or a virtual platform. Additional issues may be discussed between members by email or through the use of online forums. Members from Local, Regional and Provincial HSJCCs, as well as our partner stakeholders, are welcome to join. For more information, please contact Christine Conrad at cconrad@ontario.cmha.ca
ABOUT HSJCCs
The HSJCCs were established in response to a recognized need to coordinate resources and services, and plan more effectively for people who are in conflict with the law. Priority consideration is for people with a serious mental illness, developmental disability, acquired brain injury, drug and alcohol addiction, and/or fetal alcohol syndrome.
The committees were generated as a cooperative effort between the Ministries of the Attorney General, Children, Community and Social Services, Health and the Solicitor General.
The two primary areas of emphasis for the committees are:
- To provide a planning table to bring together service providers to find solutions to the problem of the criminalization of people with the defined unique needs, and;
- To develop a model of shared responsibility and accountability in dealing with this group of individuals at points of intersection with the justice system.
PROVINCIAL PROJECTS
Work planning and reporting helps HSJCCs from across the province plan their activities for the year. Reporting ensures there is accountability across the network and is a great way to highlight the accomplishments of the HSJCC Network.
Regional and Local HSJCCs develop their work plan based on a standardized reporting template.
The HSJCCs provide reports on the following:
Mental Health Courts in Ontario;
Older Adults and the Justice System;
Police-Hospital Transitions Frameworks
REGIONAL & LOCAL COMMITTEES
Regional committees were established to coordinate communication and service integration planning between health, criminal justice, and developmental service organizations within specific regions. Local committees provide input to these regional groups. The Provincial Committee, consisting of regional chairs and Ministry representatives, has been developed as a provincial planning body.
PUBLIC POLICY
The Provincial HSJCC is committed to identifying provincial service and policy issues across Ontario, making recommendations to address such issues and identifying system solutions to appropriate government and other provincial bodies. As such, the Provincial HSJCC often participates in consultations and prepares submissions to help address issues and advance improvements to the human services and justice coordination efforts of the HSJCCs and the Government of Ontario.
In December 2020, the HSJCC published a new report by Ontario’s leading experts on housing, justice, and mental health and addictions that outlines how existing supportive housing could more effectively meet the needs of justice-involved individuals and reduce strain on the health and justice systems. Read that here!
The HSJCC has also made recent submissions regarding issues exacerbated during COVID-19 which you can find on their COVID-19 updates page.
VISIT HSJCC PUBLIC POLICY PAGE
PROVINCIAL HSJCC ANTI-RACISM COMMITTEE
The Provincial HSJCC is looking for members to join a standing committee focused on addressing Anti-Racism across the HSJCC Network. Following high profile incidents of anti-racism both provincially and internationally, as well as feedback received from our Regional HSJCCs, the Provincial HSJCC has committed to identifying ways the HSJCC Network can be a leader in addressing Anti-Racism.
The P-HSJCC Anti-Racism Committee will be made up of members from across the HSJCC Network who will provide invaluable input and guidance in the development of a network wide strategy that will represent the interests of Local and Regional HSJCCs at the provincial level.
Committee members will:
- Provide advice and oversight to the Provincial HSJCC on all anti-racism practices, processes and cultural diversity throughout the network.
- Act as Anti-Racism Champions, representing Local and Regional HSJCCs, and partner organizations to help identify systemic issues that will meet the interests of the full HSJCC membership.
The Anti-Racism Committee will meet on a regular basis via teleconference or virtual platform. Additional consultations may be done with members by email. Members from Local, Regional and Provincial HSJCCs, as well as our partner stakeholders, are welcome to join. For more information, please contact Andrew Fairbairn at afairbairn@ontario.cmha.ca
SOME US & UK STATS
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON LAWYER WELL-BEING
FLORIDA LAWYERS & MENTAL HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID UK
CALIFORNIA LAWYERS AND ALCOHOL
LEGAL STUDENTS & MENTAL HEALTH UK
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION MENTAL HEALTH PLEDGE – UTAH
REPORT ON LAWYER WELLNESS – 2019
US COURTS & MENTAL HEALTH
NATIONAL JUDICIAL TASK FORCE & MENTAL ILLNESS
On March 30, 2020, the Boards of Directors of the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators took action to establish a new Task Force to assist state courts in their efforts to more effectively respond to the needs of court-involved individuals with serious mental illness.
The Task Force will build upon the previous work of the NCSC National Advisory Committee supported by funding from the State Justice Institute. Their work and future plans are described in the transition report, The Future is Now: Decriminalization of Mental Illness.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCE HUB
In order to address mental health needs in your community, certain court and community responses must be developed early on. The best practices recommended on this website build the foundation for improving the court and community responses to mental health and co-occurring disorders.
This website begins with leading change resources specifically designed for judges. Every community will be at a different place with each of these practices. As you look through the various recommendations, consider your own community and the best way to use these tools to build a structure of support for mental health issues within it.
TRENDS IN STATE COURTS
Opening with a series of statements on racial justice from six state supreme court chief justices, the 2020 edition of Trends In State Courts provides timely and diverse stories including an article on how collaborative efforts among justice, mental-health, and public-health systems are essential to respond to individuals who frequently cycle through systems, State Courts’ Responsibility to Convene, Collaborate and Identify Individuals Across Systems.
LEADING CHANGE GUIDE
The National Advisory Committee produced several informative resources to inform and educate the judiciary concerning mental health and the courts to include the Leading Change guide and the Coordinated Court and Community Responses website.
The Leading Change Guide for judges and court leaders is intended for court professionals who want to create change in how mental health needs are addressed in their communities but aren’t sure how to get started. It lays out the steps for beginning the movement toward change in the court and community’s response to mental health and co-occurring disorders—from inviting stakeholders to the first meeting to sustaining the initial momentum for long-term progress. It includes a list of potential stakeholders, action step checklists, sample meeting agendas, assessment questions.