Lawyers can now measure their emotional competence with a new online resource, which launches today (Thursday).
The legal mental health and wellbeing charity LawCare, and academics at the University of Sheffield and the Open University, have launched the free online resource on emotional competency and professional resilience for the legal community in Ireland.
Interactive
The interactive resource, called Fit for Law, is part of an on-going project to promote psychologically and emotionally healthier ways of working in the legal profession.
LawCare is funded by the Law Society of Ireland and offers a free, confidential service to the Society's members. This service is delivered independently of the Society by staff and volunteers with experience of practising law.
The Fit for Law resource was developed based on evidence from focus groups with legal professionals across Ireland and Britain.
The course takes 2-4 hours to complete, but is broken down into smaller sections, and includes videos from legal professionals discussing wellbeing issues, as well as a range of interactive activities.
Difficult to admit
Elizabeth Rimmer of LawCare says: “We know from our work in supporting lawyers for over 20 years how difficult it is for them to admit that they are struggling with the pressures of work – which often leads them to seeking help when they are nearing crisis.
“We want to change this. Providing legal professionals with resources to enable them to understand and develop key emotional competencies, such as emotional self-awareness, self-reflection, and better strategies for emotional self-regulation, will equip them more effectively for practice, enhance their wellbeing and potentially reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression.”
Understanding yourself
Dr Emma Jones, senior lecturer in law at the University of Sheffield, says: “This course being launched focuses on ‘managing and understanding yourself’ and offers legal professionals practical tips, based on sound evidence, to assist them in developing healthier working practices to enhance their wellbeing.”
A further course on working with others, as well as a tool-kit for employers to encourage positive organisational and cultural change in the legal workplace, are also in development.
The resources are available to everyone studying law or working in the legal profession in Ireland and Britain.
In some jurisdictions, completing the course attracts CPD points.
For more information visit www.fitforlaw.org.uk.