Young K1, Jackowski K2, Knowles E3
1Leap Psychology And Consulting, 2Vincent Papaleo & Associates, 3Emily Knowles
Biography:
Three authors to jointly present (Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist and Organisational Psychology Registrar). Individual biographies available upon acceptance.
PURPOSE
To outline a new initiative aimed at protecting, promoting, and sustaining psychological health of practising lawyers.
NATURE/SCOPE
Growing cross-disciplinary evidence highlights the need for tailored, proactive psychological support services in the legal environment. The landmark case of Kozarov v Victoria[2022] HCA 12 grounds the significance of our initiative, which is aimed at mitigating known risk factors for lawyers; instigating systemic cultural change; and promoting greater inter-agency collaboration and support. This will be addressed by incorporating experiential learning and peer debriefing: unpacking key concepts, such as burnout and boundary management, in a collaborative and safe space.
ISSUE/PROBLEM
-1 in 3 lawyers say work has a negative impact on their wellbeing
-Overcoming barriers to engagement, as 41% of lawyers have said they wouldn’t discuss wellbeing concerns in the workplace for fear of negative repercussions
-Research highlights the need for greater focus on group-based organisational initiatives to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing and improve peer/managerial relationships
OUTCOMES/CONCLUSION
Embedding group-based psychological intervention within the legal sector targets the way legal professionals and organisations collectively view and support wellbeing in the workplace.
Adopting this innovative approach normalises workplace conversations about staff wellbeing and psychological health, enhances ongoing self-care, and builds stronger peer connections. This has significant tangible benefits to the individual, organisation and wider legal community as a whole by reducing the overall burden of adverse psychological outcomes.
International Bar Association.(2021).Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession:A Global Study. London, UK.
Kelk, N. et al.(2009).Courting the Blues:Attitudes towards depression in Australian law students and lawyers.Brain and Mind Research Institute,University of Sydney.
Kolbe et al.(2020).Managing psychological safety in debriefings: a dynamic balancing act, BMJ, 6,164-171.
LaMontagna et al.(2014).Workplace mental health:developing an integrated intervention approach,BMC Psychiatry, 14:131.
Poynton, S. et al.(2018).Assessing the effectiveness of wellbeing initiatives for layers and support staff, UNSW Law Journal, 41(2),584.