Mental Health Toolkit Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class IV - PowerPoint Presentation

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Mental Health Toolkit

Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class IVSlide2

What is Mental Health?

A person’s condition with regard to their

psychological

, emotional and social well-being. A person’s mental health affects how they:ThinkFeelAct

A person’s mental health determines how they:

Handle stress

Relate to others

Make choicesSlide3

Why Mental Health?

A person with positive mental health can:

Realize his/her own potential

Cope with normal stresses of lifeWork productively and fruitfullyMake a contribution to his/her communityHealth, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “A state of complete physical, mental and social-well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Mental and substance abuse disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Slide4

Why Mental Health?

Lawyers and law students suffer from chemical and mental illness at significantly higher rates than the rest of the population.

A recent study directed specifically at lawyers showed that more than 20% of lawyers met criteria for substance use disorder and the rates of depression and anxiety were 29% and 19%, respectively.

Practicing lawyers exhibit clinical anxiety, hostility, and depression at rates that range from 8 to 15 times the general population.Out of 104 occupational groups, lawyers rank the highest in depression.Lawyers rank 5th in incidence of suicideSlide5

Why

Invest

In Mental Health?

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.8 million, or 18.5%—experiences mental illness in a given year.The chances of impaired mental health affecting you, a loved one, someone you know or someone you work with are significant. Roughly 15 percent of Florida Bar members will develop a problem with alcohol or drugs during their career. That translates to almost 10,000 lawyers at risk.As lawyers, investing in our own mental health, and those of our colleagues is not only a moral issue, but also an ethical matter.Slide6

Understanding Mental Illness

Mental illness is not a sign of weakness or a lack of will power.

Studies have found that certain key chemical regulators in the brain called neurotransmitters are responsible for both mental illness symptoms and physical symptoms such as pain.

Neurotransmitters are responsible for sending messages between nerve cells in the brain. Mental illness can occur when regulation of certain key neurotransmitters is impaired.Similar to other chronic medical conditions (i.e., diabetes, heart disease, asthma), mental illness can range in severity and duration. Slide7

Risk Factors

Substance Abuse

Alcohol

Street DrugsPrescription DrugsGamblingOther AddictionsStressBurnout / FatigueAnxietyCompulsive BehaviorsSlide8

Signs

Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings

Feelings of:

Hopelessness and/or pessimism

Guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessnessIrritability / restlessnessLoss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurableFatigue / decreased energy

Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, making decisions

Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleepingSlide9

Signs

Overeating / appetite loss

Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease, even with treatment

For a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms, visit: http://fla-lap.org/self-tests/signs-and-symptoms/Slide10

Prevention

Stress Release

Time Management

Yoga

Meditation

Work Disconnect

Social ConnectionSlide11

Prevention – The Law Firm’s Role

Law firms, public interest organizations and other legal employers play an integral role in helping reduce the stigma that often accompanies mental illness.

Legal organizations can support their employees who may become affected by mental illness by:

Offering Employee Assistance ProgramsMaking employees aware of the mental health support services provided by Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc.Establishing a comprehensive Mental Health and/or Drug or Substance Abuse Prevention Policy Implement general workplace wellbeing strategy focusing on social interaction in the workplaceSlide12

Prevention – The Colleague’s Role

More than half of the grievances filed against attorneys have addiction or some other form of mental disorder as a significant contributing factor.

The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility addresses lawyer’s ethical responsibilities in addressing workplace mental illness in Formal Opinion 03-429: “Obligations with Respect to Mentally Impaired Lawyers in the Firm”.

Law partners or supervising lawyers must take steps to prevent misconduct by an impaired lawyer. Reasonable efforts to protect the interest of clients must be taken.Other lawyers in the firm may have an obligation to report any rule violation to the appropriate professional authority. The lawyer’s impairment isn’t reported, but rather the rule violation. Slide13

Prevention – The Colleague’s Role

In our society, professionals tend to work through illnesses, whether physical or mental in nature. Lawyers are no different.

If you suspect a colleague is suffering from mental illness:DO

Make observations about how your work is being impacted and let the person respond

Listen in a nonjudgmental way

Get support from others if you feel the person is in danger or if you feel your job is at risk

DON’T

Jump to conclusions — it’s not always a mental health issue

Push your colleague to share personal details

Become the person’s de facto therapist; point the person to professional help

Become familiar with your firm’s policy on mental illness and procedure for reporting issues that may be affecting the workplace or work product. Slide14

Prevention – The Colleague’s Role

Finding the Right Words

What Not to say:

Try Instead:

"How's your health?"

"How can we help you do your job?"

“You seem depressed.”

“You’re not your usual self.”

"Snap out of it."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Think positive."

"It's always OK to ask for help."

"I know exactly what you're going through."

“It’s hard for me to understand exactly what you’re going through, but I can see that it’s distressing for you.”Slide15

Addressing Stigma – Everyone’s Role

Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, descriptions, language or behavior that can translate into disrespectful, unfair, or discriminatory patterns in how we think, feel, talk and behave towards individuals experiencing a mental illness.Slide16

Reducing Stigma

Stigma refers to negative

attitudes

, beliefs, descriptions, language or behavior that can translate into disrespectful, unfair, or discriminatory patterns in how we think,

feel, talk and behave. towards individuals experiencing a mental illnessSlide17

Reducing Stigma

Reduce stigma in your workplace and beyond

Talk openly about mental health

Educate yourself and others about mental healthBe conscious of your languageEncourage equality in how people perceive physical illness and mental illnessShow empathy and compassion for those living with a mental health conditionSee the person, not the illness Advocate for mental health awareness and employee assistance programs in your workplaceSlide18

Getting Help

CONFIDENTIAL

help is available through Florida Lawyer’s Assistance Program

Non-profit organizationMandated by Florida Supreme CourtJudges, attorneys, law students, and support personnel who seek assistance from Florida Lawyer’s Assistance Program can do so without fear that they will be reported to the Florida Bar, Bar Examiners, or their employer. http://fla-lap.org/Also see:Mental Health Resource Center - www.mhrcflorida.comNational Alliance on Mental Illness of Florida - www.namifl.org