Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week this year, we worked with you to understand specific challenges faced by various communities.
We looked at the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health within the legal sector, with a focus on anxiety as we emerge from lockdowns and restrictions.
Listen
Mental Health Awareness Week: an intersectional lens
In this 30-minute podcast, speakers explore how their intersectional identities, cultures and characteristics have influenced and affected their mental health.
Read
Lawyers seek a more effective response to increased levels of anxiety post-pandemic
Chris Owen discusses anxiety within the profession in the context of COVID-19 (including what anxiety is, how it might present itself and individual coping mechanisms) and calls for the profession to engage in cultural change.
What will come from this? Wellbeing and mental health in the legal profession after COVID-19
An insightful look at what data and research tells us about how the profession has coped through the pandemic and how it may be affected in the future.
Professor Richard Collier paints a thoughtful picture of the past, present and future of lawyer wellbeing.
Mental health matters: how we reacted to COVID-19
In this article, Lewis Silkin share what they’ve done to support their employees’ mental health and wellbeing throughout COVID-19.
They discuss the value of communication and an open culture throughout all levels of seniority, and reflect on success and lessons learned.
Watch
Mental wellbeing in the legal profession
In this recorded webinar from the diversity and inclusion conference held last year, speakers explore the landscape of wellbeing within the legal profession.
Professor Richard Collier discusses how the pandemic has impacted wellbeing priorities and challenges; Shanika Varga shares her own mental health journey; and Debbie Holmes talks about how Weightmans have supported their employees’ wellbeing and offers best practice tips to other organisations.
We have also compiled our tips for creating or building upon your own mental health initiatives.
Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19): wellbeing and mental health resources
Podcast: It’s time to talk: the wellbeing gap for Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors
Supporting wellbeing in the workplace: guidance for best practice