Mental Health

The Blackstone Society takes pride in addressing and combatting mental health issues amongst law students, and in 2012, we have some fantastic events planned to promote mental health and wellbeing.

Blackstone’s 2012 Mental Health Representative is Danielle Atlas. Dani can be contacted at email hidden; JavaScript is required to answer any questions you may have about upcoming events or how we can support you or someone that you know who is having a hard time.  All correspondence will be dealt with confidentially. We would also love to hear your ideas as to how Blackstone can better address mental health issues, so please get in touch!

 

Key Contacts at UWA

  • Stress Less
  • UWA counselling psychological service - a free of charge service for UWA students
  • For academic advice and special consideration enquiries, contact the Associate Dean (students), Natalie Skead at email hidden; JavaScript is required or on 6488 2962

 

Other Resources

 

Upcoming events

 

Mental Health Workshops

In response to increased risk of mental health issues among the legal profession and overwhelming student demand, Mental Health Awareness Workshops will be offered in 2012 as a joint initiative of the UWA Health Promotion Unit, the UWA Law Faculty and the Blackstone Society. The workshops are available at no cost to all current law students at the University of Western Australia.

As part of the workshop, participants will
- be provided with an overview of mental health problems (such as anxiety and depression)
- learn about strategies to assist colleagues to access appropriate support
- view the Resilience in Law DVD and
- have an opportunity to ask questions.

All participants will receive a certificate upon attending the workshop.

You can register your interest now by contacting email hidden; JavaScript is required. Watch this space for dates and more information.


Mental Health First Aid Course

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses teach mental health knowledge and skills which enable participants to assist someone experiencing difficulty with the symptoms of mental illness.

This 2 day course (12 hrs total) is designed to give participants skills to help someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis situation. The philosophy behind the course is that mental health crises, such as suicidal and self-harming actions, may be avoided through early intervention with people developing mental disorders. If crises do arise, then members of the public can take action to reduce the harms that could result.

We hope to be able to offer UWA Law students the opportunity to participate in this course once funding is secured. Keep an eye out for progress on this front!

 

Healthy Living Week

In Semester Two, Blackstone will launch its inaugural Healthy Living Week.  Keep an eye out for more information on this event which will involve mental health policy, work with community organisations, stress management and employment advice.

 

Our involvement

 

The Black Dog Attacks Lawyers by Marion Lopez

Joanna Vincent, the Mental Health Representative in 2011 and several other members of academic staff from UWA were recently interviewed by Marion Lopez, a journalism student from ECU about their professional experiences with mental health issues at UWA Law School. See her report The Black Dog Attacks Lawyers

 

News

 

The Law Society of WA has released a report into Psychological Distress and Depression in the law profession.

The following is extracted from the Law Society of Western Australia’s website:

Report into Psychological Distress and Depression in the Legal Profession Released

The Report on Psychological Distress and Depression in the Legal Profession was commissioned by the Society following the increasing trend of WA legal practitioners suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety, stress and depression in their lives.

A range of significant new services will be introduced by the Society to provide ongoing support and assistance to members in response to this important Report.

Visit the website to download a copy of the Report.

For further information visit http://www.lawsocietywa.asn.au/law-week-mental-health-focus.

See also Lawyer’s Weekly media release here.

 

 

Interesting reads

 

Lawyers Weekly – The dissatisfaction epidemic: Why are lawyers
unhappy? http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/special_reports/archive/2011/05/25/the-dissatisfaction-epidemic-why-are-lawyers-unhappy.aspx

Lawyers Weekly – Work quality trumps money in lawyer happiness – A recent survey has found that what makes lawyers most happy is the quality of their work, a good organisational work culture and their colleagues - http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/top_stories/archive/2011/05/18/work-quality-trumps-money-in-lawyer-happiness.aspx

Lawyers Weekly – Firms still lack action on depression – A recent survey has found that in 2011, lawyers were less likely to hold stigmatising views about depression in the workplace than they were in 2007. However the survey also found that barriers still exist. - http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/top_stories/archive/2011/05/02/firms-still-lack-action-on-depression.aspx

Lawyers Weekly – The weight of the law failing students – (Are there links between 100% weighed exams and law student’s mental health?)
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/special_reports/archive/2010/02/22/the-weight-of-the-law-failing-students.aspx

Lawyers Weekly – Depression and reform on ALSA’s 2011 agenda  -
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/top_stories/archive/2011/01/03/depression-and-reform-on-alsa-s-2011-agenda.aspx

Lawyers Weekly – Depression in the law: workplaces waking the black dog - http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/special_reports/archive/2010/09/09/depression-in-the-law-workplaces-waking-the-black-dog.aspx

Lawyers Weekly – American lawyers have the blues too -
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/top_stories/archive/2010/12/13/american-lawyers-have-the-blues-too.aspx

Check out the Government of WA Mental Health Commission’s :

1. Head2Head Magazine -
http://www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/media_resources/head2head.aspx

2. Fact Sheets -
http://www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/media_resources/factsheets.aspx