HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 29, No. 3 | Page 7

H C B A Continued from page 4 The topic of mental health and wellness in the profession is getting some much-needed attention, but there’s more to do. On April 30, 2019, the HCBA is partnering with the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers (HAWL) to host a Mental Health and Wellness Town Hall Meeting. Florida Bar President-Elect John Stewart and Committee Chair and President- Elect Designate Dori Foster-Morales are join - ing us at the Town Hall and will share their know ledge regard - ing men tal health and wellness in the pro - fession, and will give a presentation about The Florida Bar’s efforts to address and foster dis - cussion regarding lawyer health. An open forum will follow the presen - tation during which attendees can share with John and Dori their own experiences and what they suggest for JAN - FEB 2019 | HCBA LAWYER P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E John A. Schifino – Gunster The Florida Bar going forward. Mandi Clay, vice president of programs for HAWL, and Carter Andersen, past president of the HCBA, are passionate about lawyer health and have graciously agreed to co-chair and coordinate our Town Hall. We hope to use this opportunity to bring Hillsborough attorneys together to discuss this important topic in an open and candid manner. Lawyers must be more open about mental health and wellness. We have generally not been the best of resources for each other and it’s time for that to change. Available at https:// www.hazeldenbettyford. org/about-us/news- media/press-release/ 2016-aba-hazelden- release-first-study- attorney-substance-use. 2 Dori Foster-Morales, Mental Health and Wellness: Destigmatizing the Discussion and Promoting Solutions, The Florida Bar Journal, January 2019 Volume 92, No. 1, p. 8. 1 5