OSB Wellness Summit

Colleagues,

Our profession has become synonymous with chronic stress and anxiety. Too many lawyers are proud to call themselves workaholics. Too many self-medicate to manage the pressure, the need to appear strong at all times. It can seem like it’s working, until it isn’t -- and by then the damage is done.

As you may have already heard, the Oregon Supreme Court has approved a new MCLE rule requiring one hour per reporting period on the subjects of mental health, substance use and cognitive impairment. This is definitely a step in the right direction. But there is more we can do to destigmatize work-life balance, and end the shame, fear and embarrassment that impedes too many of our peers from getting help.

We can do better. That is why I will be hosting a Summit on Lawyer Well-Being at the OSB Center on the morning of January 25, 2019. I envision the summit as a dialogue on what we as a profession think are our most pressing issues, as well as any ideas we might generate to solve them. If this is a topic that interests you, I encourage you to register now.

Registration is open for attendance in person or via live webcast. Portions of the program will also be made available online after the event. There is no charge to participate, but space is limited. To reserve your spot please email OSBWellnessSummit@osbar.org with your name and bar number, and let us know whether you would like to attend in person or via live webcast. You may also direct any questions to the same email address.

Thank you,

Vanessa Nordyke
OSB Immediate Past-President

Lawyer Wellness Resources:

OSB Wellness Summit Agenda

ABA National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being --  http://ambar.org/lawyerwellbeingreport

ABA Well-Being Toolkit --  http://ambar.org/wellbeingtoolkit

Journal of Addiction Medicine:  The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys -- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4736291/

Oregon Attorney Assistance Program -- https://oaap.org

OSB Quality of Life Committee resource page:  http://qualityoflife.osbar.org/resources