More than “Fine”: Anxiety and Mental Health in the Legal Profession

Organized by Beyond the A (http://beyondthea.co). This event will take place in Room 104 in Allard Hall from 3:40-5 pm.

Navigating anxiety and mental health is a challenge when you are faced with the high demands and expectations of law school and the legal profession - exam grades, securing a summer and articling position, billable targets, adversarial counsel and demands on your time from clients, stakeholders, and of course, your family.  When we toss in the additional stigma of talking about anxiety in the legal profession and community, we’re faced with a crisis of students and professionals struggling in silence. 

The prevailing advice is to “toughen up”, “stay heads down”, or “fake it until you make it”. But if anything, this has led to some of the highest rates of attrition and burnout in the legal profession. 

The status quo doesn’t work anymore. But what if there was another way?  Join our speakers in a safe and authentic space, as they share their own lived experiences of anxiety and mental health through law schools and their careers and how they were able to (for the most part) navigate their careers with their life outside of work.

Audience Takeaways:

1. Tools on how to navigate through anxiety and mental health in law school and their careers.
2. A renewed sense of belonging and connection with their peers and individuals in the legal profession. 
3. A sense of understanding that it’s “okay to not always be okay” and a feeling that they are not alone. This way, when something does happen in the future, they can reflect back on this panel and of the lessons learned and resources provided.

Beyond the A

At Beyond the A, we are dedicated to destigmatizing anxiety and empowering lawyers to thrive in their careers and beyond.  Learn more at http://beyondthea.co.