Lawyer Well-Being Week 2020 Resources

Mon, May 4th, 2020 | by Miles Mediation and Arbitration | News | Social Share

According to the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being and several other studies, too many lawyers aren’t thriving. In response, several organizations created the first annual Lawyer Well-Being Week: May 4-8, 2020. This week, organizations across the legal profession will lead and participate in activities that promote health and happiness among lawyers and their support teams. Miles Mediation & Arbitration supports Lawyer Well-Being Week and is committed to sharing information and resources for the legal community. 

Over the past few years, there has been a coordinated effort to build awareness around lawyer well-being.  National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being formed in 2016 and published the groundbreaking The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change. Multiple organizations that care about well-being in the profession also are involved, including the ABA Law Practice Division Attorney Well-Being Committee, and the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Program’s Well-Being Committee.

Directory of Lawyer Assistance Programs

Resources for Georgia Lawyers During the Coronavirus Pandemic 

Risk Awareness

• Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• 5 Risks to Your Career as a Lawyer (and 3 Rules to Avoid Them!)

Managing Anxiety

• To get free confidential, 24/7 support for anxiety, text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line, 741741
• Science-based strategies for coping with Covid anxiety
• Coronavirus and your mental health: Two experts explain why we panic and how to cope,
• Managing Anxiety and Stress during the Covid-19 outbreak, CDC

Managing Stress

• How do you keep down your stress levels at the office? 
• Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

Suicide Awareness 

• Georgia Suicide Awareness Campaign
• Free, confidential 24/7 support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for oneself and others Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

Building Resilience and Supporting Mental Health

• Resilience is Key to Thriving in Law Practice
• Tips to Start Becoming More Resilient in the Legal Profession here
• Staying Mentally Healthy During COVID-19, The Campaign to Change Direction
• Protecting Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Online and telephone support groups for individuals with mental illness, NAMI

Substance Abuse

• AA
• In the Rooms
• Alanon
• Smart Recovery
• Author Brian Cuban’s blog “The Addicted Lawyer” offers guidance and options for recovery meetings.
• Importance of seeking help for mental health and substance use disorders, Fear Not: Speaking Out to End Stigma (video)

Leadership & Law Firm Management in a Pandemic 

• The Leader’s Guide to Managing Covid-19 Panic
• 8 strategies to set up remote work during the coronavirus outbreak
• A Virtual Structure for Law Firms: Guidelines for Containing Your Lawyers’ Anxiety in the Age of COVID-19

Additional Resources for Georgia Attorneys

• Lawyer Assistance Program
• Suicide Awareness Campaign
• SOLACE | Support of Lawyers, All Concern Encouraged
• Law Practice Management
• Lawyers Helping Lawyers
• Sports & Fitness Meetups
• Wellness Bingo