by Christian George, YLD 2018-19 President

The Young Lawyers Division’s #StigmaFreeYLD campaign is well underway and we are excited about the response from our members and others and our plans for the future.

Last June, I accepted the position of president of the YLD in front of hundreds of people, including many of the past presidents of The Florida Bar who are still with us and the entire current Board of Governors. I shared my experience seeing a therapist as it makes me a better husband, lawyer and person. I also committed that my term as president of the YLD will focus on breaking the stigma of attorneys discussing and seeking treatment for mental health issues.

To say that we have exceeded expectations would be the biggest understatement of the year.

To introduce the campaign, we featured several “pillar” videos of successful attorneys who have sought help with mental health issues and have become happier and better lawyers as a result.  Hillary Cassel, Ron Ponzoli, Wayne Smith and Senator Darryl Rouson have heroically told their stories regarding issues such as bipolar disorder, extreme stress and anxiety, grief, drug and alcohol abuse and imposter syndrome.  These four inspirational attorneys explained how they personally overcame their obstacles through therapy, exercise and other healthy means.  These videos can be viewed at www.stigmafreeyld.com and more will be released in the coming weeks.

With these powerful stories, we almost broke the Internet. The #StigmaFreeYLD campaign is one of the most successful social media campaigns undertaken by The Florida Bar.  In addition to the sheer multitude of views, likes, shares, retweets and comments (all positive) on various social media platforms, here are just a few examples highlighting the success of our mission:

• YLD board members and I have personally received hundreds, if not thousands, of calls from attorneys and others thanking us for starting the conversation, explaining how they could relate to the videos and how they’ve altered their lives as a result;

• Other bar associations and even other industry groups have reached out complimenting the YLD on the campaign and asking permission to run similar campaigns – we even heard from an organization in Spain;

• Wayne Smith received a letter from a law student with a situation remarkably similar to his own who shared that she was considering not applying to the Bar until she saw his video; and

• Hillary Cassel has been approached by dozens of people, both inside and outside of our profession, who related to her story and found an opportunity to acknowledge their situations and gain the strength to seek help.

While we are happy with the progress thus far, the YLD is looking forward to continued success in breaking the stigma and supporting the mental health of those involved in our profession.  The health and wellness survey results will be covered in The Florida Bar News and will be posted on the Bar’s and YLD’s website. The results were not shocking to me, but they did confirm that attorneys continue to face significant mental health issues, many of which are not being addressed.  A lawyer can rest assured as a result of the survey that he or she is not alone in these struggles.

The YLD teamed with psychologists to compile a list of resources for our membership to use, which can be found at www.StigmaFreeYLD.com.  These resources include links on how to locate a respected psychologist throughout the country and provide information on various mental health conditions.  I would be remiss if I did not mention Florida Lawyers’ Assistance (FLA, Inc.) and the tremendous resource they continue to be to our members.  To find out more about FLA, please visit www.fla-lap.org.

Additionally, after identifying some common themes among the open responses to the survey, the YLD team will be focusing on new practical ways to assist our members.  First, we will be producing materials to educate young lawyers on their options in reporting or handling unprofessional or hostile behavior in the workplace.  Second, we will be creating CLEs to assist managers or partners to destress the workplace with management tips and best practices, in partnership with the Center for Professionalism.  Third, we will be working with the Member Benefits committee to add discounts for more accessible therapy options and practical wellness tools such as fitness or meditation apps.  The YLD will continue to focus on pro-active solutions to assist our membership with its mental health needs.

The YLD appreciates the support of the staff and the leadership of The Florida Bar in its goal to eradicate the stigma.  We need your help as well.

During the course of the campaign, I have become more sensitive to the too common nastiness from attorneys in various matters.  If this profession is going to improve its overall mental health and happiness, then it needs to start with us.  I was reminded of the old adage “you never know if someone is having their worst day” on how to be more empathetic when dealing with others. That adage rings true now more than ever in how we treat each other on a daily basis. Professionally, you don’t always have to be “nice,” but kindness and empathy are invaluable to your well-being as well as to others’ well-being. We can be adversaries without being enemies.

It is that easy.  Help us with this campaign by simply being more thoughtful in your professional actions and words.  Stay above the fray.  Together we can make the profession just a bit more pleasant and, in doing so, we can support each other on our overall mental health.