Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been urged to incorporate mental health education into the Council of Legal Education Program CLE.
The appeal was made by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Hussain Zakariya.
The renowned legal luminary also called on the NBA to advocate healthier work standard across the industry.
Zakariya spoke on Wednesday in Sokoto in a paper he delivered at the ongoing week-long activities of the Caliphate Bar Law Week, organized by the Sokoto State chapter of the NBA, themed, ” Secured Nation, Secured Future”.
His paper was titled, “Work-Lite Balance Among Young Lawyers in Nigeria: Stress, Burnout, and Coping Mechanism”.
Represented by Barrister S. E. Young Esq., Zakariya said, “Remember to prioritize your health, take a break when necessary; reassess priorities and take care of yourselves, while aiming for the ultimate success in the profession.”
The Chairman of the panel discussion, Justice M. A. Sambo, said there is the need for lawyers to keep themselves healthy.
According to Justice Sambo, lawyers should avoid burnout and stress, adding, “burnout is emotionally-draining.”
Also speaking, an elder in the law profession, Barrister G. M
Gana, said both old and young lawyers are affected by the two phenomena.
In his submission, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Commiitee (LOC), Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim SAN, urged lawyers to give room “for disappointments while handling cases.”
He also called for hard work, dedication and absolute commitment in the legal practice.
In his submission, another renowned legal Icon, Barrister A. Y. Abubakar, urged lawyers to try to allocate “time for their clients, family and for self preservation.”
Another renowned lawyer, Barrister Ferdinand Okotete, stressed the need for lawyers to learn and excel.
According to Okotete, there is also the need for commitment, contentment and the avoidance of over ambition by lawyers.
Okotete further underscored the inexus between a sound mental health and the maximum outputs of lawyers.
He said, ” Lawyers must be in the proper frame of mental health for them to be productive.”