Lexpert magazine features articles and columns on developments in legal practice management, deals and lawsuits of interest in Canada, the law and business issues of interest to legal professionals and businesses that purchase legal services.
Issue link: https://digital.carswellmedia.com/i/1161185
14 LEXPERT MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2019 ing their stories. I've learned from many others that when someone discloses, they tend to receive considerable support from colleagues and may be provided with ac- commodations. ey can also enjoy a sense of relief, since keeping mental illness a secret can be exhausting. e reality of the workplace is that the greater one's job security, the easier it is to reveal one's illness. Junior counsel and oth- ers who feel vulnerable may be less inclined to reveal a mental health condition. is is a huge decision; once a person discloses mental illness, it is impossible to retract the news. Lawyers can be in a damned if we do, damned if we don't dilemma: concerned about the risks of revealing, but if we don't disclose, unable to access needed support and accommodation. While sometimes it will be safest to not disclose mental illness at work, if a person can find just one trusted confidant, it can be extremely beneficial. Practically speak- ing, if someone needs accommodation it may be necessary for them to disclose to at least one person. e profession is in desperate need of role models, namely, lawyers who live with mental illness and are well established in our positions and prepared to share our stories. According to the American Bar Association, research shows that the most effective way to reduce stigma is through direct contact with someone who has per- sonally experienced a relevant disorder: "Ideally, this person should be a practicing lawyer or law student (depending on the audience) in order to create a personal con- nection that lends credibility and combats isolation and stigma." [vii] Successful lawyers who disclose their mental health challenges can be living tes- timony to combat many of the myths about mental illness. We are evidence that lawyers can function at a high level and have suc- cessful careers. We can be examples for peo- ple that living with major mental illnesses can see good outcomes. At first, talking about mental illness at work could feel awkward. But it can also be wonderfully cathartic, empowering and profoundly helpful to those involved ing up to the presentation were agony. I had trouble sleeping and an upset stomach. Pangs of anxiety shot through my chest at frequent intervals. Despite the unrelenting stress, I was determined to share my story. To my great relief, the presentation went very well, ending with a standing ovation that brought me to tears. What started as the most difficult thing I've ever tried to do in my life turned out to be the best thing I've ever done. Since giving that coming out speech there has been no looking back. Once I had the sup- port of my colleagues, I figured anything was possible. Within one year, I went from being a condensed ball of angst worrying for years that people would find out about my ill- ness, to seeing that same essay published by the Globe and Mail. I became a friend of the Bell Let's Talk campaign to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. My story was told nationally. My image was posted on billboards across the country - a surreal experience for someone who had been hos- pitalized with delusions of grandeur! Since going public, I've spoken to many lawyers about mental illness and have given numerous presentations to large groups on the topic of mental illness in the legal pro- fession. I oen see a look of relief on the fac- es of audience members as I point out the elephant in the room and talk about how to address it. Almost always aer a presenta- tion, people share personal stories with me. It is clear that lawyers want and need to talk about mental health. Senior Lawyers Need to Disclose Mental Illness e legal profession is in the midst of a men- tal health crisis. e extent of it has been hammered home to me aer hearing so many stories of mental illness time and again. Having enjoyed such a positive response to my disclosure of bipolarity at work, I have become an advocate for others shar- "For me, disclos- ing my mental illness was the best thing I could do for my career and for personal fulfill- ment. Surround- ed by supportive friends, family and colleagues, I've been able to develop the courage and strength to make a contri- bution to people living with mental illness."