Well-being has been a hot topic in the legal profession over the last year – especially in Illinois. Following the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being’s Report, Illinois instituted a new mental health and substance abuse CLE requirement and recently just formed a statewide task force to address lawyer health and wellness in Illinois. And with good reason.
Research shows, lawyers suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues far greater than any other profession. According to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation report, 21% of licensed, employed attorneys qualify as problem drinkers, 28% struggle with some level of depression and 19% demonstrate symptoms of anxiety.
With statistics like these, the legal profession must take action. That’s why the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism decided to develop its own wellness CLE program: “A Professional Lawyer is a Healthy Lawyer”.
The Commission will host the wellness CLE program in Mount Vernon, Illinois this April.
Approved for 1.0 hours of Professional Responsibility CLE credit, the upcoming wellness CLE will create a better understanding behind the high rate of mental health and substance use issues in the legal profession, further explaining why it is a professionalism issue. The program will also teach attorneys how to prioritize their own well-beings in and outside of the office, learning the importance of resilience and developing a growth mindset.
Deputy Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Stephanie Villinski will present the wellness CLE at the Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge on April 12th from 12pm-1pm. Attendees will satisfy the Illinois mental health and substance abuse CLE requirement by attending this hour-long program.
Registration is open for the upcoming event. Those interested in attending the wellness CLE can register at the Commission’s website.
For more information about this CLE program, please contact Stephanie Villinski via email or by phone at 312.363.6215.