Recognizing World Mental Health Day

By OAAP Post

October 10th is not only Law School Mental Health Day, but also World Mental Health Day. Recognized internationally since the early 90’s, this is a day for mental health education, awareness, and advocacy. Well over half of all lawyers report having had depression or anxiety over the span of their legal career. Every day, we receive calls from lawyers, judges, and law students seeking help. Recognizing you are not alone in your hardships or experiences can bring comfort and a renewed sense of community.

It seems appropriate that today, we revisit our 2020 inSight newsletter article on perspectives. In it, lawyers share their experience practicing law with anxiety or depression: the challenges they faced, what helped, and what they would like other lawyers to know.

While not easy to do, reaching out for help can be a big step and is often the first step to feeling better. To talk to an attorney counselor about depression or anxiety, call the OAAP at 503.226.1057. Rest assured that your call to us is completely confidential and will not affect your standing with the Professional Liability Fund or the Oregon State Bar.

We’ve also provided a few additional resources below.

Resources:
OAAP Anxiety and Depression Support Group – meets bi-weekly online.
Technology and Mental Health – Chris Ritter (inSight, December 2019)
Did You Know? Facts About Depression and Anxiety (inSight, December 2020)
Chair Yoga Demonstration (Thriving Today, April 2023)
What’s on Your List? Developing Healthy Ways to Calm and Soothe (Thriving Today, September 2020)

Cozy and Connected at the Coast

Jan 23, 2024

Takeaways and highlights from the OAAP's 14th Annual Wellness Retreat for Lawyers Identifying as Women or Nonbinary at the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach.

Dec 15, 2023

It’s that time of the year when traditions are often at the center of how we think, feel, and behave in many situations. It’s a time when it is easy for us to feel we have something of a permission slip to act in ways we otherwise might not. Nowhere is this more evident than with our use of alcohol during the year-end holidays, when drinking rates spike significantly for much of the population.

Oct 10, 2023

October 10th is not only Law School Mental Health Day, but also World Mental Health Day. Recognizing you are not alone in your hardships or experiences can bring comfort and a renewed sense of community.