Wellbeing & Life Balance

LawCare

LawCare is the Queensland Law Society's confidential counselling service. It aims to help members deal with personal and professional problems that interfere with their work performance and personal life.

A counsellor is available to discuss any personal problem currently affecting your work performance, or threatens to do so in the future. Problems may include anxiety or stress related conditions, alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling addiction, a family or marriage crisis, or career problems.

Members of QLS, support staff and the member's immediate family can use the service.

LawCare counselling is provided by Assure Programs. They have qualified counsellors experienced in dealing with the unique difficulties faced by professionals.

Call 1800 177 743 to contact Assure Programs or email info@assureprograms.com.au.

Topics of Interest

Diet

Find a healthy recipe for dinner.

Have a look at what the CSIRO Health and Wellbeing has to say about diet and nutrition.

Exercise Guide

Need to get moving but not sure which sport to choose? Have a look at the ABC’s website for inspiration

You can also check out ABC’s website to see whether you are in the healthy weight range.

Financial Wellbeing

See our Practice Management - Finance page.

Medicare

View and update your Medicare details online.

Do you have to pay the Medicare levy? Find out using the ATO's calculator.

Mistakes & Complaints

See our Practice Management - Risk and Ethics pages.

Organ Donor

Register to become an organ donor, but remember to speak to your family about your decision as they will have the ultimate say.

Private Health Insurance

PrivateHealth.gov.au allows you to compare private health care insurance and find a policy that suits you and your family.

Women In The Workplace

The Better Health Channel has a fact sheet addressing issues facing working women.

Computer Tan

For those who are time poor but still yearn for a nice tanned appearance, try Computer Tan

Your Career

The dissatisfaction of so many lawyers with their careers dramatises the need to focus on a process which enables them, by seeking positions consistent with their personal values and professional goals, to achieve professional satisfaction.

The USA version of Findlaw has a collection of articles to help you understand the process and the steps you need to take to make a thoughtful transition in your career. And the July 2011 issue of Law Practice is dedicated to Time To Take A Leap.

General Health

ABC Health & Wellbeing

Information for the public on healthy living, medical conditions and medical news.

Healthy Insite

A wide range of up-to-date and quality assessed information on important health topics such as diabetes, cancer, mental health and asthma.

Life Balance

Lawyers are notorious for working long and hard and making sacrifices for the sake of their practice. For lawyers, this is one of life's double-edged swords. For insight and hints to help lawyers balance the incessant pulls of both work and daily life:

• CBA Practice Link collection of resources(Not all links available to non-members).
• ABA Work/Life Balance for Solo and Small Firms
• Lawyers Weekly - search work/life
• Meditation is an excellent way of dealing with stress, getting some sleep, seeing a clearer picture and getting your life back into balance.
• Practice Pro's articles on "Wellness and balance".

Mental Health

Your mental health is important. If you suspect you may be suffering from a mental health disorder, don't delay, seek help.

• Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation - The Foundation’s objective is to decrease work related psychological ill-health in the legal community and to promote workplace psychological health and safety.
• For general information and details on where to get help, go to Beyond Blue where you can check signs and symptoms and get information to help yourself or others.
• Business in Mind is a free DVD and Resource Kit designed to help you look after your own mental health and wellbeing, and that of your employees.
• Work related stress can affect your mental health significantly. Further information and self help techniques to reduce your stress.
• QLS collection of resources on Resilience and Wellbeing
• Depression in Law Schools

From Junior Solicitor to Senior Partner

Whether you're starting your journey or charting a new career course, firsts can be frightening. These resources focus on new lawyers as well as solo- and small-firm challenges. Resources from the CBA PracticeLink pages.