The Florida Bar has launched a 24-hour helpline and free counseling service to support the mental health of lawyers, judges, and registered paralegals across the state. The Florida Lawyers Helpline, accessible at 833-FL1-WELL (833-351-9355), provides immediate support and up to five free therapy sessions to help legal professionals manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
In a recent episode of the LegalFuel podcast, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore spoke with Nicole Browning, Director of Client Success at CuraLinc Healthcare, about the program. Browning, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience, emphasized that the high-pressure nature of legal work can lead to burnout and risk of disciplinary action if not addressed.
"Proactively taking care of mental health issues helps attorneys better serve their clients and can even reduce potential disciplinary actions caused by missed deadlines and unhappy clients," Browning explained.
The helpline, established in May 2020, is part of The Florida Bar's broader commitment to member wellness. The service is confidential and available around the clock. Browning noted that her organization partners with state bar associations nationwide to remove barriers to care and promote wellbeing.
The podcast episode has been approved for 0.5 hour of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit, including 0.5 hour in mental health and wellness. For more resources, visit The Florida Bar Mental Health and Wellness Center.