Dane County Minority Bar Coalition’s Thrive Series : Mental Health Strategies for Attorneys of Color Thursday, May 28, 2020 12:00-1:15 PM CST
Brief Instructions – This is an open panel discussion (i.e., questions are encouraged throughout the discussion). – Please submit any questions to alodge@foley.com. – The moderator will review all questions and pose, as appropriate, your questions to the panel.
Panel – Atty. Lindsey Draper – Sheng Lee Yang, MSW, LCSW National Task Force on Executive Director, Lawyer Well-Being Us 2 Behavioral Healthcare – Alex Lodge, J.D., Ph.D. – Justin A. Moore, Ph.D. (Moderator) Clinical Psychologist, UW Health Associate, Foley & Lardner LLP Madison Liaison, WAAL
Mental Health Stigmas in Communities of Color
Factors Contributing to Mental Health Barriers – Systemic Barriers 1, 2 1. Feagin, J., & Bennefield, Z. (2014). Systemic racism and U.S. healthcare. Social Science & Medicine, 103, pp. 7- 14. 2. Paradies, Y. (2006). A systematic review of empirical research on self-reported racism and health. International Journal of Epidemiology , 35 , 888-901. – Implicit Bias 3 (IAT - Implicit Association Test) 3. Oswald, F. L., Mitchell, G., Blanton, H., Jaccard, J., & Tetlock, P. E. (2013). Predicting ethnic and racial discrimination: A meta-analysis of IAT criterion studies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105 (2), 171 – 192. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032734
Identify When to Seek Mental Health/Wellness Treatment
Risk Factors for Attorney Burnout – Lawyers Mutual shares risk factors for attorney burnout – Over-commitment Inadequate breaks and rest – Constant low-grade stress (Allostatic Load) 4 – 4. The term “ allostatic load” refers to the cumulative results of an allostatic state, which is altered and sustained activity levels of the primary mediators that integrate energetic and associated behaviors in response to changing environments and challenges such as social interactions, weather, disease, predators and pollution. McEwan, B.S., Stressed or stressed out: What is the difference? , J. Psychiatry Neurosci., 2005 , 30(5), 315-318. – Lack of help and assistance Heavy job and family responsibility – – Strong reluctance to say no – Poor boundaries. 11pm email responses on a regular basis.
Signs of Attorney Burnout – Chronic fatigue – Shorter temper ( i.e. , small things set you off) – Anxiety attacks – Decreased distress tolerance (anxiety, sadness, anger) – Decreased ability to complete tasks, low motivation, agitation with work – Decreased pleasure in activities once enjoyed – Displacement of emotions (increased family arguments) – Insomnia due to racing thoughts – Depression – Anxiety – Increased tearfulness from small triggers
Long-Term Activation of the Stress-Response System – Chronic Stress (Cortisol and Adrenaline) – Mayo Clinic reports an increased risk for developing: 1. Anxiety 2. Depression 3. Digestive Problems 4. Headaches 5. Heart Disease 6. Sleep Problems 7. Weight Gain 8. Memory and concentration impairment 9. Exacerbation of pain conditions 10. Less energy to provide self-care – Important to learn healthy ways to cope with stress
Figure 1. The Stress Response and Development of Allostatic Load. The perception of stress is influenced by one’s experiences, genetics, and behavior. When the brain perceives an experience as stressful, physiologic and behavioral response are initiated, leading to allostasis and adaption. Over time, allostatic load can accumulate, and the overexposure to mediators of neural, endocrine, and immune stress can have adverse effects on various organ systems, leading to disease. 5 5. McEwen, B.S., Protective and Damaging Effects of Stress Mediators , N. Eng. J. Med., 1998, 3:338, 171-179.
Strategies for Addressing Mental Health Needs for Attorneys of Color.
Key Take Away Points – Use your organization’s wellness resources; – Practice self-care; – Set good boundaries and improve work-life balance; – Make good use of your social support system; – You can always try therapy (proactive vs. reactive); keep in mind that trying does not mean you are stuck going, but you may find great benefit. – Try new ways to practice self-care; – Free online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): https://palousemindfulness.com/
RESOURCES – The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change, (Aug 2017 ), https://lawyerwellbeing.net/wp- content/uploads/2017/11/Lawyer-Wellbeing-Report.pdf – Well-Being Toolkit for Lawyers and Legal Employers, (Aug 2018), https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/lawyer_assista nce/ls_colap_well- being_toolkit_for_lawyers_legal_employers.authcheckdam.pdf
ORGANIZATIONS – American Bar Association, Diversity and Inclusion Center , https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/ – Lawyers of Color: Advancing Diversity and Democracy , https://lawyersofcolor.org / – State Bar of Wisconsin, Diversity and Inclusion , https://www.wisbar.org/aboutus/diversity/Pages/Diversity.aspx – Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP): 1-800-543-2625
ARTICLES – Can Improving Attorney Well- Being Solve Law’s Diversity Problem ?”, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Jayne Reardon (August 2018) https://www.2civility.org/attorney-well-being-solve-diversity-problem/ – “Lawyer Well - Being: An Uncharted Path to Increasing Diversity and Inclusion,” Jayne Reardon and Bree Buchanan, (Feb 2018) https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/committees/diversity- inclusion/articles/2018/winter2018-lawyer-well-being-alcoholism-self-help / – “Don’t Forget About Women Lawyers of Color”, Kristen Hardy, Wisconsin Lawyer (July 2019) https://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/WisconsinLawyer/Pages/Article.aspx?Volume=92& Issue=7&ArticleID=27137 “ For Lawyers of Color, Collective Liberation Looks Like Mental Health Care,” – DenaRobinson and Kimya Forouzan, (November 2019) https://www.ifwhenhow.org/lawyers-of-color-mental-health/
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