Law Society and Lifeline Aotearoa sign agreement by Skype

MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate use, 4 September 2012

Law Society and Lifeline Aotearoa sign agreement by Skype

The New Zealand Law Society and Lifeline Aotearoa have formalised a new relationship via Skype.

Lifeline CEO Jo Denvir signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) online in Auckland, while Law Society President Jonathan Temm signed it from the Law Society’s national office in Wellington. The signing took place on 31 August 2012.
The MoU seeks to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between the Law Society and Lifeline Aotearoa, where members of the Law Society and members’ families can have ready access to Lifeline Aotearoa’s free telephone services and also have face-to-face counselling, either in person or via Skype.

The MoU is part of the Law Society’s Practising Well initiative, which recognises the need for Law Society members to have access to practical support, information, guidance and education for their personal and professional well-being.

Mr Temm says those working in the legal profession are often under intense pressure when practising law and that it is paramount to provide an accessible counselling service for individual well-being as well as maintaining high quality legal services.

“As the regulator of the law profession the Law Society wants to ensure lawyers have the tools to access help if they experience hardship in their work or personal lives,” says Mr Temm.

Ms Denvir says Lifeline is looking forward to providing support for members of the Law Society through the 24/7 helpline at Lifeline Aotearoa and its Lifeline Counselling service.

“These are challenging times for many New Zealanders so talking through feelings of stress, worry or depression can make a huge difference.

“Our helpline counsellors are here 24 hours a day, and our service is confidential, anonymous and non-judgemental. We’re simply here to help,” says Ms Denvir.

Lifeline Aotearoa is a leading provider of dedicated community help services and face-to face counselling to those in need.

It deals with psychological and emotional distress, financial and work issues, marriage and family problems and those who are lonely, ill, depressed or victims of violence or abuse.

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