The theme for this year is suicide prevention, and with one in 15 respondents of the 2019 junior lawyers survey stating that they have experienced suicidal thoughts, this guidance is timely for the solicitor profession. The Law Society has updated its best practice guidance on mental health, ‘Supporting Wellbeing in the Workplace’, which organisations can use as a resource to support the wellbeing of employees. The guidance makes recommendations for small, medium and large firms and features case studies from firms Pinsent Masons, Farrer & Co, Macfarlanes, Freeths, Giles Wilson and Thrive Law.
Law Society
President Simon Davis said: ‘The rewards of a legal career are many, but
findings from the Junior Lawyer’s Resilience and Wellbeing Survey found that
93% of solicitor respondents reported feeling stressed and around half of
respondents said that they had experienced mental-ill health (whether formally
diagnosed or not) in the month before completing the survey.
‘It is
important for us to use our research to create resources that will help us to
meet our member’s needs. Supporting Wellbeing in the Workplace is an invaluable
tool that will equip individuals and organisations with best practice on how to
support the mental health of our members.’
Copies of the guidance can be obtained from the Law Society. If suffering, additional help can be obtained from LawCare’s free, independent, confidential helpline on 0800 279 6888 for immediate support or at www.lawcare.org.uk. For more information on World Mental Health Day, visit the WHO website
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