Mental Health Awareness Month: Race Cars, Basketball, and Mental Health Awareness

While the month of May is always an exciting time around Indy, and this May has been no different, it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. We at the Well-Being Committee hope that while you are following practice progress at the Brickyard, cheering on our Pacers, and dodging popup rainstorms you will continue to - or perhaps even start to – prioritize your well-being. 

When I first became involved with IndyBar’s Well-Being Committee, it was named the HEAL Committee which stands for Helping Enrich Attorneys’ Lives. At that time, many years ago, the “committee” consisted of barely a handful of folks, generally getting together over brown bag lunches. 

Over time, we have evolved. Not only has the Well-Being Committee expanded its focus, aiming to provide more education and opportunities for local legal professionals regarding physical, emotional, and mental well-being, it now has over 100 attorney and paralegal volunteers who stand ready to assist those going through a personal or professional crisis. In addition, we will soon have a “quiet room” at IndyBar HQ where you are invited to take five – or fifteen! – from your hectic day. Stay tuned! 

Your Well-Being Committee does not exist in a vacuum and continues to partner with various organizations and interest groups. By way of example, in the last two years we have collaborated with JLAP and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana and IndyBar’s own Hispanic Lawyers Division to provide informative and hopefully inspiring CLEs for members. As we work toward expanding our reach and supporting YOUR overall well-being, we will continue to seek opportunities to partner with like-minded local organizations. 

The Well-Being Committee always welcomes people who wish to volunteer and help further our mission. Please stop by the Well-Being Committee’s table at IndyBar’s Bench Bar Conference beginning June 19, 2025, at French Lick Resort to say hello or to learn how we might be able to help enrich your life or the lives of your colleagues! 

Article by:

Senior Judge Kelly M. Scanlan