H C B A P R E S I D E N T’ S M E S S A G E
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taking breaks are generally things that have been shown to reduce stress across the board. Effective practice management skills can also help reduce the inherent stress in our profession and our life. Finding an effective calendaring system so deadlines do not sneak up on us. Developing an effective client management system so that we are promptly responding to our clients and our fellow attorneys. Having a mentor or a friend that we trust who we can lean on when we find ourselves in a spot where we are unsure of what to do next.
But what happens when all your good habits and stress-management tools feel like they are not enough? When the weight of the practice feels too heavy? First, it is okay to ask for help. Help from a colleague, a friend, or even a mental health provider.
And if you do not know where to go to ask for help, that is okay too. The Florida Bar has a Mental Health and Wellness Center that can serve a starting point if you do not know where to turn. There you can find the Florida Lawyers Helpline( 833-351-9355), a 24 / 7 free and completely confidential service connecting attorneys with professional counselors. There is also Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., that is designed to give discreet assistance and guidance to lawyers, judges and law students that are struggling with substance abuse, depression, or stress and anxiety. These are just two of many resources available.
The key is that no matter where you feel you are, you are never alone. And if everything feels too big, help can be found just a phone call away. n
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