Even lawyers who had never experienced depression or anxiety were thrown for a loop when their homes became their offices in 2020. And as the new world order of remote/hybrid work settled into routine, many legal professionals struggle to balance their mental health.

The importance of recognizing and managing symptoms of depression and anxiety inspired Smokeball to focus on the Healthy Remote Lawyer for September. On Thursday, Sept. 24, we invited lawyer-turned-psychotherapist Chelsy Castro to share her experience and insight during a free CLE webinar.

Even prior to the pandemic, Castro said, legal professionals who worked remotely were more likely to experience problems with loneliness, organization, collaboration, time management and work-life boundaries. Much of the rest of the legal population joined them in March 2020, lacking the tools to tackle these issues.

After breaking down the life, organizational and individual factors that make lawyers especially vulnerable to depression and anxiety, Castro shared helpful lists of their signs and symptoms in lawyers. The high stakes of allowing these behaviors to dominate how we think and act, she said, means lawyers need to better recognize and address depression and anxiety.

While tackling anxiety and depression may feel overwhelming, even small steps can help legal professionals manage the symptoms. Castro shared a series of tips that lawyers can start practicing today to see a difference.

Lawyers cannot change the state of the world or of the legal profession, she said, but they can work to change how they think and respond to stressors.

• Miss our CLE-sponsored webinar, “The Healthy Remote Lawyer”? Register here to watch it on demand and earn CLE credit in your jurisdiction.

• If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are worried about a loved one, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) is available to help 24/7/365.

• Smokeball has gathered our September resources in a new e-book. Download “The Healthy Remote Lawyer: A Guide to Improving Your Mental and Emotional Health.”

Upcoming Events:

ISBA virtual event (Sept. 30-Oct. 1)

Join Smokeball as we co-sponsor the ISBA’s virtual Solo & Small Firm Conference on Thursday, Sept. 30 and Friday Oct. 1. Learn why Smokeball is rated the No. 1 legal software for small family law firms.

ABA Family Law Conference (Oct. 6-9)

Fall is here and Chicago is cooling off, so we’re headed to sunny Florida! Join Smokeball as we co-sponsor the ABA 2021 Section of Family Law Fall CLE Conference in Lake Buena Vista Fla., from Thursday, Oct. 7 to Saturday, Oct. 9.

ITLA (Illinois Trial Lawyers Association-Cook County Judicial and Legislative Reception)

5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14 at the Union League Club of Chicago

Smokeball Summit 2021 (Nov. 16)

Join Smokeball for our 2021 Smokeball Summit! We’ll present two great CLE-sponsored webinars, along with four practical training course tracks.