Bolch Institute to Hold Wellness and Mental Health Conference on UM Campus

A man with his head lowered shattering showing mental health issues
A man with his head lowered shattering showing mental health issues

Credit: solarseven/Shutterstock.com

At a time when the subject of mental health in the legal profession has moved front and center, the Duke University School of Law's Bolch Judicial Institute will be hosting a conference focusing on mental health issues affecting lawyers, including drug addiction, depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse.

The conference will be held in the Newman Alumni Center at the University of Miami from Feb. 28 to March 1. Panelists include Third Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Brooks Smith, Southern District of Florida Chief Judge Michael Moore, and Duke Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Amir Rezvan.

Actress Gabrielle Anwar and former Congressman Patrick Kennedy are among the list of guest speakers.

The conference will review recommendations made by the American Bar Association National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being and speakers will discuss the efficacy of existing policies and treatments within law firms, the judiciary and state bar associations.

Registration is $399, though prospective attendees can contact Lora Beth Farmer at 919-613-7079 for special financial accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Medical professionals and students pay a reduced rate, $199 and $99, respectively.

Attendees can register on Duke's judicial studies website at judicialstudies.duke.edu/conferences/upcoming-conferences.