SC Bar Launches Attorney Wellness Website
February 18, 2015
Task force encourages Bar members to start “Living Above the Bar”
CHARLESTON, SC – The Attorney Wellness Task Force of the South Carolina Bar is proud to announce the launch of its wellness website, “Living Above the Bar.” The site, www.scbar.org/livingabovethebar, offers resources on work/life balance, managing time, stress and debt, and will include tips on parenting, relationships, exercise and more.
“Although stress affects all professions, high stress in the legal profession is especially prevalent and often impacts the physical, mental and social well-being of lawyers,” said SC Bar President Cal Watson. “The Wellness Task Force was created to address this problem head-on, and the website will help us tackle these issues on the way.”
The Task Force, led by Charleston attorney Mike Ethridge, aims to help lawyers achieve total wellness: mentally, physically and socially. The group launched its “living above the bar” campaign at the 2015 SC Bar Convention in Columbia with seven events offering guidance and support on nutrition, fitness and other issues. The Wellness Task Force is also developing a statewide speakers bureau for presentations on wellness topics and working within communities to identify fitness partners for SC Bar members.
“I am excited about the launch of our new wellness website and am particularly excited that we were able to release it during the Task Force’s first year of operation,” said Mike Ethridge, chairman. “The site creates a unique space where attorneys can openly discuss the importance of self-care and support each other in individual wellness efforts.”
The “Living Above the Bar” website features sections on mental health, including addiction, depression, eating disorders and mindfulness; physical health, including nutrition and physical fitness; and social well-being, including stress management, relationships and debt management. The site also includes a blog authored monthly by Bar members. Lawyers and the public are encouraged to visit the site regularly for pertinent articles, videos, calendar templates and app recommendations.
“Given the support and leadership of our Bar and the size of our state, South Carolina is uniquely positioned to be at the vanguard for this important work,” said Ethridge. “I look forward to many, many more good things from our group in the months ahead.”
To submit articles of interest, suggest fitness partners for the Bar, or submit a recipe, workout routine or testimonial, e-mail [email protected] indicating Blog Post, Article Submission, Workout Routine, Recipe or Suggested Fitness Partner as the subject. Blog post submissions with tips, pointers or information in general that may help members of the Bar maintain a healthy lifestyle are welcome.
The SC Bar, which has a membership of more than 15,000 lawyers, is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law.
