1CL supports Mental Health Awareness Week

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021. At 1 Chancery Lane we are committed to promoting good mental health and wellbeing, something that has become far more important for everyone over the past twelve months.

The Bar Council’s Wellbeing at the Bar states that 2 in 3 barristers feel that showing signs of stress equals weakness, something that we strive to refute. We have a comprehensive Wellbeing Policy which sets out our aims to encourage and facilitate working practices and services that support the health and wellbeing of all staff, pupils and barristers, and we positively encourage all to maintain a good work-life balance. We have a Wellbeing Officer who, along with our Senior Clerk, has undertaken mental health training. Junior members of Chambers have their own chat group where they can contact one another with any questions or problems, and during the pandemic we have extended our informal support arrangements with instant messaging, virtual Chambers tea and a more formalised mentoring rota. All to ensure that we stay connected.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is Nature, and we are encouraging all members and staff to take some time this week to reflect and to connect with nature in whichever way works for them.

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
https://www.wellbeingatthebar.org.uk/