2020 has been tough on everyone.
And in case you don’t live in Melbourne, you might not realise we are currently under some of the toughest COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions in the world.
At any point in time, mental health with the legal field is a concern, but now more than ever businesses, friends and families are under pressure – feeling anxious, alone and hopeless can be a daily struggle. R U OK? Day is an important day in suicide prevention. No one person is ever alone – we are all in this together – seeking connection and contact with those around us.
It’s important to remember to check in with yourself first before you reach out and ask others if they’re ok. There’s plenty of great resources available online when you’re ready to reach and connect with someone. Gillian Coutts wrote a great piece on LinkedIn to stop and remind yourself about empathy burnout vs compassion and how to recognise the difference.
“You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK. By knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported and access appropriate help long before they’re in crisis, which can make a really positive difference to their life.”
Of course, there’s plenty of resources available with tips on how to start a conversation; and more importantly what to do next when someone needs help. Check out www.ruok.org.au
Some friends recently shared a wonderful video sharing their support for Hey Mate. This one’s for the blokes, but still beautiful and highly relevant – check out the clip on Instagram
And one for the lawyers specifically – LOD has a great podcast and this week podcast focussed on stress and managing mental health – listen here (20mins)