Annual Report

Assist in 2019 - Snapshot

 1. Professional Counselling Services: Record number of 1027 professional counselling files were opened in 2019.

Program utilization rates were 10.3% approx.: one in ten lawyers, one in four articling students and one in three law students accessed counselling through Assist in 2019. 

2. Peer Support: Record number of 33 peer support matches.

3. Assist Community: Programs continued to connect lawyers and students around common interests or experience with a view to combating loneliness and isolation within our profession, as these are common precursors to depression and poor mental health.

Drop-in Coffee Circles

Free Weekly Yoga

New Parents Practicing Law

 4. Education and Awareness: We held Walks for Wellness in 6 Alberta cities—Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and For McMurray—and delivered many educational presentations about lawyer well-being.

 5. Assist has an independent Board of Directors: Assist’s Board consisted of 8 lawyers, plus the CEO of the College of Alberta Psychologists, from across the province:

                Edmonton: 4

                Red Deer: 2

                Olds: 1

                Calgary: 3

 6. Financial: Assist spent 70% of its 2019 resources on professional counselling services, peer support and community, 22% on education and awareness and 8% on admin/other.

Assist in 2020 - Responding to Crisis

 We kicked off 2020 (Nov. 1, 2019 to Oct. 31, 2020) with our Hand to Hand evening featuring a discussion on lawyer mental health with Retired Supreme Court of Canada Justice Clement Gascon, Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Michele Hollins and Retired Provincial Court Judge Robert Philp.

 When COVID-19 arrived and many lawyers and students encountered job loss, financial uncertainty, juggling working from home with childcare and homeschooling, and anxiety, Assist pivoted its programming to address needs.

 Professional Counselling: Program usage was strong, with a slight dip for March and April, and then the busiest May and June since the program began.

Peer Support: 27 matches (November 1, 2019 through July 29, 2020), predominantly regarding career issues.

Red Mug Coffee Circles, our innovative drop-in coffee time where articling students and junior lawyers can easily connect with more seasoned lawyers, moved online. We host an on-line group of 8-12 each Monday at noon.

Education and Awareness: COVID resources added to our website

• Partnership with CPA Assist on coping in the COVID world webinar series on Mindfulness, Building Resilience and Fortifying your Core available on our website.
• Parenting While Working From Home in a Pandemic (2 session webinar with a parenting expert – resources on our website)
• Weekly email newsletter initiated
• Career Development Webinar partnership with Legal Education Society of Alberta to produce 3 webinars on networking, the recruiter’s perspective and setting up your own practice.
• Communications for Internationally-Trained Lawyers webinar (partnership with LESA)
• Gloom vs.  Hope Webinar with Karmen Masson.

AssistCommunity

• Yoga program moved online (10-30 participants per week)
• Mindfulness break online (15 minute session once per week) (3–8 participants per week)
• Socially-distanced walking groups
• Law student base camps for interview weeks

 Professional Counselling:

Toll Free 1-877-498-6898 Weekdays & 24/7 (Crisis Only)

Peer Support:

Toll Free: 1-877-737-5508 Weekday

www.lawyersassist.ca

UPCOMING EVENT:

Buddy Up! To Walk for Wellness

World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10, 2020 at noon