The practice of law is not without its challenges, and recent events have been a reminder to us all that no one is immune from experiencing unexpected psychological pressures and stress. 

The seminal research of the Brain and Mind Institute and subsequent research over the past 10-15 years has raised our collective awareness of both the psychological distress far too commonly experienced by members of the legal profession and our reluctance to seek treatment for mental health concerns.

As members of the profession, each of us needs to be part of the solution in looking after the mental health and wellbeing of our 35,000 strong profession. As your peak body, the Law Society must lead this response. To this end, the Law Society has been listening to feedback from solicitors to improve our understanding of what we can be doing to better assist and support our profession.

So, it is with a great deal of pride that today I make good on a commitment I gave at the Opening of Law Term Dinner and unveil the Law Society’s new Solicitor Outreach Service (SOS), a dedicated and confidential psychological service for NSW solicitors.

Through SOS, NSW solicitors will be able to access up to three psychological sessions per financial year and 24/7 telephone crisis support if in acute distress, funded by the Law Society.

SOS has been designed to support NSW solicitors, regardless of where they practise or live, to engage with professional, evidence-based psychological support.

Importantly, SOS is a confidential service, provided by a third-party provider, at arm’s length from the Society’s role as a co-regulator.  Confidentiality will be doubly safeguarded as the services will be provided by psychologists who, as registered health professionals, are required to comply with strict confidentiality and privacy regulations.

By giving NSW solicitors direct access to psychological services, and by reducing the financial cost associated with accessing these services, it is our hope that SOS will remove many of the barriers commonly cited as reasons not to engage in treatment for mental health concerns.

Ultimately, we want to ensure that when someone takes that first vital step of reaching out and making a call for help, they can connect effectively and efficiently with the confidential, professional support that they need.

So, if you are struggling, you now have the option to phone SOS on 1800 592 296 and arrange to speak confidentially with a psychologist. If one of your peers appears to be struggling, ask them if they are OK and suggest that they reach out for support.

In this way, we can all be part of the solution to eradicating the stigma that surrounds mental health and wellbeing in the profession, for the benefit of our clients and the communities that we serve.

Richard Harvey, President, Law Society of NSW

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