On Friday, June 23, 2023, more than 300 participants gathered virtually at a Mental Health Forum hosted by the Law Society and the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC (CLEBC). This forum, which was the first event in a two-part series, aims to bring the legal community together and advance the conversation on mental health.
Cheryl D’Sa and Brook Greenberg, KC reported on key findings from the National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada report. They also reflected on reasons why legal professionals are susceptible to mental health challenges, shared steps the Law Society is taking to address the impact on legal professionals and provided strategies for firms and employees experiencing burnout, stress and other issues affecting their mental and physical well-being.
During a panel discussion on lived experiences, lawyers Ryan Black, Raminder Hayre, JD, Jadine Lannon and Zheng-Yi Ong shared their stories and discussed the impact mental health challenges have had on their personal and family lives, how they prioritize their wellbeing and their advice for others who may be experiencing similar issues.
If you missed the first session, rebroadcasts will be available on July 21, July 28 and December 18, 2023. Those interested may register here.
The second session will take place on October 3, 2023, and will focus on strategies for improving mental health within the profession and legal organizations. We encourage legal professionals to join the conversation to learn, share and recognize that you are not alone. To register, please visit CLEBC’s website.