Welcome to your March wellbeing spotlight

Each month we’ll put a spotlight on wellbeing news, thoughts, events and support from across the Bar and further afield:

Spotlight – Kirsty Brimelow KC talks wellbeing at the Bar on BBC Radio 5 Live

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC chatted to presenter Naga Munchetty about wellbeing at the Bar, how she has coped throughout the years and why wellbeing is one of her priorities this year.

When asked if a career at the Bar is healthy, Kirsty said: ” Well, is it healthy? You absolutely have to look after yourselves. And I probably am not the best example slightly from a generation when we didn’t look after ourselves as much.

“And one very positive work from the Bar Council over the last decade plus, has been focusing on wellbeing, and that’s certainly is one of my focuses over this year, that people not only look after their own health and take breaks, but also appreciate that there’s trauma in lots of the cases that they deal with and they need to have space and time to manage that trauma. And I think we’re only really just getting to grips with that side of it.”

Hear the full interview from 1.42.00

News

‘You lose yourself’: inside the mental health crisis hitting gen X women 

A survey by the British Association for the Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) reported recently that almost two-thirds of women over 50 struggle with their mental health. Nine out of 10 of those surveyed had not sought any help.

Writer Anita Chaudhuri writes for The Guardian on what is driving the mental health crisis for women sandwiched between boomers and millenials.

Thoughts

• Read about the importance of community for wellbeing with Hannah Markham KC and George Harley in Counsel magazine

• The latest Inner Temple Movers & Returners podcast discusses returning to the Bar after mental health leave with Steve Broach KC and host Sunyana Sharma

• For LawCare, therapist Annmarie Carvalho explores vicarious trauma in law and how lawyers can protect their wellbeing while staying engaged.

Events

Let’s talk about difficult conversations at work – Thursday 14 May

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, join the team at LawCare to explore how to handle difficult conversations with colleagues, managers, teams and clients through a free webinar.

Support 

• • BRF subscribers can access 24/7 GP access for them and their families – Find out how to sign up to DoctorLine –
  • Tips from Mind about mental health in the legal profession
  • Assistance Programme – Wellbeing at the Bar

Got a wellbeing event coming up? Want to share your story? Contact us