For decades, the California Legislature has wrestled with how to fix workers’ comp — in some recent years, lawmakers proposed nearly two dozen bills. In 2020 lawmakers took a major step, adding a legal shortcut or “presumption” to the state labor code, stipulating that firefighters and other first responders are considered at high risk for PTSD in the course of doing their job. In practice, experts say that, despite the law, proving a mental health claim is still as difficult to overcome as the psychological injury itself. Break a leg while fighting a wildfire, and, when it’s backed up with x-rays, claims are approved. But break your mind after decades of exposure to on-the-job trauma? Prepare for battle. Read Julie Cart's story: https://cal.news/3RICMit 📸 Loren Elliott #CA #California #CalMatters #CalFire #CAMentalHealth #CaliforniaFireFighters #PSTD #FireFightersMentalHealth
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Assistant General Counsel @ NEC Corporation of America • Litigation • Employment Law • Contracts | Managing Director @ Stage 62
The toxic nature of the legal profession is certainly not a secret. The expectation is that you’ll willingly miss quality time with family, leave birthday dinners and baby showers early to get back to work, and take only a fraction of your vacation time, while still working a little every day. It’s ingrained in you early on that the only way to succeed is to put the job above all else and that client needs must always come before your own, even when they are unreasonable. This horrible tragedy was entirely preventable. Help lines and employee assistance programs are not enough. The profession’s entire outlook on mental health and work/life needs to change. It’s time to ensure that we support attorneys both professionally AND personally. It’s time to wake up. #mentalhealthawareness #prioritizewellness #legalprofession https://lnkd.in/eGtaV7uc
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Law enforcement officers often face traumatic experiences unique to their profession, ranging from witnessing violent crimes to confronting life-threatening situations. While many individuals may naturally recover from such events with time and support, others may find themselves grappling with lingering emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding the impact of police officer-based trauma requires a nuanced examination of the physiological, psychological, and social factors at play. These experiences can deeply affect an officer's mental health, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance. Moreover, the stigma surrounding mental health within law enforcement culture can further compound these challenges, often discouraging officers from seeking help or speaking openly about their experiences. This reluctance to address trauma can perpetuate a cycle of suffering and hinder effective coping mechanisms. As advocates for officer wellness, it's crucial to provide education, resources, and support systems tailored to the unique needs of law enforcement professionals. By fostering a culture of understanding and compassion, we can empower officers to prioritize their mental health and seek assistance when needed, ultimately promoting resilience and well-being within the law enforcement community. 💙👮♀️ #LEWellness #PoliceMentalHealth #EndTheStigma #BreakTheStigma #LawEnforcementMentalHealth #officersofcolor #larimarcounseling #larimarcounselingservices #femalecop #therapistforcops #therapistforpolice #traumacounselor #anxietytherapist #newyorktherapist #nytherapist #trauma #suicide #suicideprevention #officersofcolor #newyorkmentalhealth#copsofinstagram #lawenforcementofficers #mentalhealthspeaker #upstatenewyork #newyorktherapist
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Legal Operations Guru, Blockchain/DLT enthusiast, Legal Innovation Seeker, College of Law Practice Management Fellow
ALA Middle Tennessee Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) The Middle Tennessee chapter is making great progress on this initiative. Middle TN Association of Legal Administrators challenges all Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) chapters to undertake a similar initiative to ensure access to mental health resources for your members and all of the employees in their firms who are not attorneys. Likely, the resources are available through your state or local Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP). Shouldn't these resources be available to everyone working in the legal industry? So many legal assistants and paralegals serve on the front line with lawyers who have mental health issues. They need to be aware of the signs and symptoms raising red flags, both their own as well as those of people with whom they work closely. The challenge to law firms is to eliminate the stigmatism inhibiting your people from reaching out to these professional resources provided by your local bar, State Court or other agency in charge of your LAP. Let's work to move LAP to LEAP...Legal Everyone Assistance Programs! #LAP #LEAP
Middle Tennessee ALA's Mental Health Task Force is working with TLAP to expand services to non-attorneys in the middle Tennessee area. As part of this process, we sent a survey to many law firms in our area to gather information on mental health issues from all levels of firm employees. Beginning this week, we will be sharing some of the information gathered. Did you know... - 66% of non-administrator respondents were legal assistants or paralegals, a/k/a attorneys’ right hands; and - 45% of administrators reported feeling depressed, hopeless or sad within the prior two weeks?
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The study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine sheds light on a concerning reality – approximately 21% of police officers exhibited symptoms indicative of depression. This finding underscores the critical importance of addressing mental health challenges within the law enforcement community. As a retired NYPD officer and licensed mental health clinician, I've seen the unique stressors and pressures that officers face daily. The demanding nature of the job, exposure to traumatic events, and the weight of responsibility can all contribute to the development of mental health issues, including depression. It's essential to recognize that seeking help for mental health concerns is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step towards healing and resilience. Through tailored therapy and support, officers can navigate the challenges they face and cultivate greater well-being. Let's prioritize mental health awareness and support within our law enforcement communities. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, don't hesitate to reach out for support. #larimarcounseling #larimarcounselingservices #femalecop #therapistforcops #therapistforpolice #traumacounselor #anxietytherapist #newyorktherapist #nytherapist #officersofcolor #legacies #newyorkmentalhealth#copsofinstagram #lawenforcementofficers #firstresponders #mentalhealthspeaker #upstatenewyork #newyorktherapist
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Public Health Educator | Mental Health & Wellness Advocate | Subject Matter Expert | 2X Women’s National Golden Gloves Champion | Sigma Gamma Rho |
Love to see this! #mentalhealthsupport for legal professionals from within the organization. R3 Addresses Mental Wellness Among Legal Professionals with Clinical and Behavioral Health Services This is a critical moment for the legal profession. While the industry has always been high-stress, more evidence is showcasing the impact of demands on law firm leader populations. Consider: 28% of lawyers experienced depression at some point in their careers. 46% of lawyers experienced symptoms of burnout at some point in their careers. 60% of lawyers under the age of 30 reported problems with anxiety. To manage these and other clinical or behavioral struggles, many have turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms or taken drastic measures: https://lnkd.in/ervn5siY
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The number of suicides in law enforcement is devastating and alarming. We don't want to see our friends, colleagues, and family members take their own lives because of the traumatic nature of this job. One crucial point we discussed in our last webinar was the need for leaders to set an example in using coping skills. It's not enough to just provide resources and advice—leaders must actively demonstrate these practices. When leaders take the time to care for their own mental health, it helps normalize these important habits throughout the workplace. Curious about strategies to help improve mental health and reduce trauma in law enforcement? Don't worry, you can still catch up! Use the link in the comments for insights from Amy Butler, Mark DiBona, and Melissa Kaiser, LBSW. 👇 Gain an information advantage with CACI International Inc, Protecting the Guardian, and Gap Relief #DarkBlueInsights #MentalHealthMatters #OSINTForGood #LawEnforcementSupport #SuicidePrevention #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamHealth
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Recognized as a Global Expert on: Vicarious Trauma🚦Compassion Fatigue 🚦Traumatic Stress 🚦Second-hand Trauma Exposure at work. Mental health training and support for people with tough jobs.
"Nearly 50% of judges believe they’ve suffered secondary traumatic stress from exposure to heartbreaking court testimony and gruesome photographic evidence." Rates are higher in NYC. Due to the professional implications and stigma, most legal professionals won't access support for trauma exposure on the job. The solution? Train your staff on prevention and mitigation tools, and teach your managers how to lead in a way that mitigates the impact on your team. Secondary and vicarious trauma are an occupational hazard. There are multiple international cases which have settled in the plaintiff's favor; including monetary payouts and mandates for government agencies to protect their employee's mental health when their job involves witnessing human suffering and/or violence. We are now planning 2024 programming. Will your team be one of the recipients of this effective and protective programming? No stigma. No diagnosis. Accessible. Effective. #vicarioustrauma #trauma #ptsd #secondarytraumaticstresss #empathicfatigue #mentalhealth #workplacementalhealth #employeeretention
Judge’s Candid Mental Health Fight Exposes Stresses Jurists Hide
news.bloomberglaw.com
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Shockingly, Lawcare saw a 24% rise year on year up to August ‘23 in the number of legal professionals contacting them for support, with a 95% increase in the reason for that contact being bullying, harassment or discrimination. This article for Mental Health Awareness Week outlines the pressures, and support available, for legal professionals and, whilst mental health provisions in law are improving, calls for further work to be done, particularly around prevention to address these issues before they even arise: https://bit.ly/4dJYtIF What effective practices does your firm have in place to prevent stress and burnout? Can these practices and initiatives be shared and adopted more widely due to how sustainable the change is that they influence? #stress #burnout #wellbeing #workplacewellbeing #law #legalprofessionals #mentalhealth #LawCare To contact Lawcare, see https://bit.ly/3yxfFAY
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Breaking the Silence on Blue Monday: Prioritizing Law Enforcement Mental Health On #BlueMonday, let's shine a light on the often overlooked issue of mental health in law enforcement. 🚨 Why It Matters: Law enforcement professionals face unique challenges, leading to stress and emotional strain. Recognizing this on Blue Monday is crucial to raising awareness about the need for mental health support. 🔗 Link to Effective Policing: Mental well-being directly impacts job performance and community safety. Supporting mental health initiatives is essential for building a resilient and effective law enforcement force. 🌐 Creating Supportive Ecosystems: PenLink is committed to breaking down barriers. Let's destigmatize mental health discussions, provide counseling services, and implement wellness programs to create a supportive ecosystem for law enforcement professionals. 🤝 Start the Conversation: This Blue Monday, let's amplify the conversation around mental health in law enforcement. Share resources, stories, and initiatives that promote a healthy mindset within the profession. Seeking help is a sign of strength. Together, let's make a difference in the lives of those who dedicate themselves to our safety. #BlueMonday #MentalHealthMatters #LawEnforcementWellness #BreakTheSilence
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