Approved educational programs must be designed to help lawyers detect, prevent or respond to substance use problems, mental health or stress-related issues that can affect professional competence and the ability to fulfill a lawyer’s ethical and professional duties. Such educational programs must focus on these issues in the context of the practice of law and the impact these issues can have on the quality of legal services provided to the public.
To qualify for credit, professional wellness subject matter must be part of an approved educational program, which includes the following learning modes: in-person programs; real time programs delivered through technology; reviewing previously recorded courses; interactive online study programs; writing; and teaching. Group study and mentoring on professional wellness subject matter will not be eligible for credit.
The presentation and instructional materials must be specifically directed at lawyers. The topics must be discussed in the context of the legal profession and in relation to the quality of legal services provided to the public.
Eligible professional wellness topics
- Substance use problems and mental health issues
- Educational programs that focus on developing awareness of substance use problems and mental health issues in the practice of law are eligible for approval. Examples of topics include alcohol and drug dependencies, addictive or self-harming behaviours, anxiety and depression.
- The content of these educational programs may focus on any or all of the following: recognizing the signs and symptoms of substance use problems or mental health issues in oneself or one’s colleagues, preventive measures; coping techniques, the effects of impairment, intervention strategies, reducing stigmatizing behaviours and attitudes, and the availability of the Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) to help face these issues.
- Educational programs will only receive credit if the presentation of material includes a component that addresses the risks substance use problems and mental health issues pose to lawyers’ ability to meet their obligations under the Law Society Rules, the Code of Professional Conduct and the Legal Profession Act.
- Stress and stress-related issues
- Educational programs that focus on developing awareness of stress and stress-related issues in the practice of law are also eligible for approval. Examples of topics include procrastination, isolation, boundary setting and “burnout.”
- The content of these educational programs may focus on any or all of the following: recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress in oneself or ones colleagues; preventive measures; coping techniques; the effects of stress or stress-related problems; intervention strategies; reducing stigmatizing behaviours and attitudes; and the availability of the Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) to help face these issues.
- Educational programs will only receive credit if the presentation of material includes a component that addresses the risks that stress and stress-related issues pose to lawyers’ ability to meet their obligations under the Law Society Rules, the Code of Professional Conduct and the Legal Profession Act.
Ineligible professional wellness topics
- yoga courses,
- breathing exercises and meditation courses,
- healthy eating courses,
- exercise classes,
- courses addressing revaluating personal career decisions or navigating career transitions,
- counselling sessions and treatment programs, and
- learning activities that focus on personal life events and associated issues (e.g. personal trauma, grief and bereavement).