HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
Mental Health for Lawyers: The Importance of Self-Care
BRUCE BLITMAN CINDY WIDES
CAROLYN YASUNA
Attorneys often face significant obstacles to their mental health and well-being due to long hours, challenging expectations, and other facets of the legal profession. Like many other professionals, we all need to stop, relax and recharge regularly so we can be the best we can be the rest of the time. So, how do we do that?
Self-Care is the answer. Self-care is anything you do to take care of yourself so you can stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well. Research suggests that self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress. The life of an attorney is often filled with high stress conditions. With demanding schedules, obligations and deadlines, self-care and wellness often take a backseat. Neglecting yourself can cause burnout, decrease in productivity and cause implications on health.
The term“ self-care” did not mainstream until after 2016. Wellness and a healthy lifestyle for attorneys are not new ideas, but the concept of self-care actually introduces another layer of concern. The underlying belief is that you can’ t take care of others without also taking care of yourself. Practicing self-care, having a healthy diet and getting a good night’ s sleep can protect your mental health and wellbeing.
Think about a time of day that would work for you to do a self-care activity. Set an obtainable goal. Think of an activity that you are not already doing as part of your day. Is it setting time aside when you wake up in the morning, on the way home at the end of the day or as you are sitting at your desk? Self-Care does not need to be a physical activity. It can be journaling, reading a book, listening to songs or even a podcast.
Self-care is not selfish. We must take care of ourselves first, so that we can be present for our families, friends, colleagues and clients in our personal and professional lives.
Noticing changed behavior in yourself, a family member or a client is often a sign that something might be changing physically or mentally. Change can include alteration in actions, emotions, thinking and relationships. Withdrawing from events, becoming more aggressive or just showing signs of stress. Share your observations with them. Approach them in a non-confrontational way. Express your concern, and ask open ended questions to understand what they are feeling. Most important, give the person space to share their thoughts and listen without judgement. You don’ t have to agree with what they are saying, but by showing you heard them you are letting them know you respect their feelings. We all just want to be seen, heard and understood. By approaching the situation with empathy and understanding, you can help the person feel supported and more willing to share what they’ re experiencing.
There are some general strategies that you can use to help:
• Listen without making judgements and concentrate on their needs at that moment
• Ask them what would help them
• Reassure and give practical information or resources.
• Avoid confrontation
• Ask if there is someone they would like you to contact
• Encourage them to speak to their primary doctor
Early intervention improves outcomes! Approaching someone with changes in their behaviors, allows them to seek help early, manage their challenges and improve their wellbeing and quality of their daily life. Increased knowledge of mental health issues allows us to help reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage those suffering to seek help.
Cindy Wides and Carolyn Yasuna are Certified Mental Health First Aid
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 13
Instructors and Community Mental Health Educators. For more information to schedule a no-cost mini mental health session for your group or organization, please contact Cindy at cwides @ gmail. com.
Bruce A. Blitman is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit, County and Family Mediator in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He is a member of The Florida Bar’ s Standing Committee on the Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers and also currently serves on the Health and Wellness Committees for the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association
Stay Connected with PBCBA
Get legal news, event updates, court notices, and more— delivered straight to your inbox.
If you’ ve previously unsubscribed, SPAM laws prevent us from readding you. To opt back in, visit www. palmbeachbar. org and click“ Subscribe to PBCBA’ s Newsletter” under the social media section. After submitting your info, confirm your subscription via the email from Constant Contact— this step is required.
Stay in the loop with timely updates and community news. Don’ t miss out— resubscribe today!