World Mental Health Day: Listening to lived experiences

As we mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, this year’s theme, Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change, offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of listening to personal experiences and turning those voices into action. 

Creating opportunities to hear different perspectives and experiences can help build greater understanding of mental health in the legal profession. Firms can help turn that understanding into action by creating supportive environments where people feel heard and connected. Regular check-ins, social gatherings and mentorship opportunities can open the door to meaningful conversations about mental health, reduce isolation and help legal professionals feel supported.

Hearing directly from legal professionals about their experiences can also help create greater awareness and understanding of the mental health challenges within the profession.

The Canadian Bar Association’s Well-Being Hour series offers on-demand video conversations exploring challenges facing lawyers and legal professionals. Topics include setting boundaries, the effects of incivility, trauma-informed practice, addiction, burnout and well-being in the legal profession. 

These conversations offer an opportunity to hear different perspectives and explore practical approaches to supporting mental health.

Resources to support mental health

World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health and highlight the supports available to legal professionals.
 
 Free and anonymous resources are available:

• The Lawyers Assistance Program offers confidential support, counselling, referrals and peer support to lawyers, articled students, support staff and their families experiencing alcohol or substance use, stress, depression or other personal challenges.

For additional resources, visit our Lawyer Well-Being Hub.