The Weight of the Work:
Mental Health in the Legal Profession
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF.org) is curating a month-long series of experiences designed to bring people together and spark meaningful conversations around mental health, well-being and resilience.
The Weight of the Work: Mental Health in the Legal Profession is a free, one-hour Zoominar taking place on May 7, 2026 at 10 a.m. Bringing together respected voices from across the legal and mental health communities, this conversation offers a candid and informed look at the pressures attorneys face while opening the door to practical strategies for support and resilience.
Attorneys and legal professionals operate in high-stakes environments where long hours, emotional intensity, and a culture of constant performance can take a toll on mental well-being. This panel will explore the realities behind the profession—from burnout and stress to the often-unspoken challenges of navigating complex human issues—while highlighting what is being done and what more is needed to support those in the field.
Hosted and moderated by Marni Stahlman, President/CEO of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida this conversation aims to create a space to better understand the pressures impacting workers and leaders, while highlighting ways companies and communities can support mental well-being, reduce stigma, and build a more resilient workforce.
Michael D. Barber, Esq.
Colling Gilbert Wright
Kim Nguyen Gray, Esq.
Senior Counsel at Brennan Manna Diamond
Laurie Levin,
Retired Vice President, Division Chief Legal Officer at AdventHealth
Dr. Cherlette McCullough, LMFT and MHACF Board Vice-Chair
Hosted By: Marni Stahlman,
President/CEO, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida
For 80 years, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida has been a trusted resource for individuals and families navigating mental and behavioral health challenges. Through direct-service programs MHACF provides essential care to children, adolescents, and adults who are uninsured and face barriers to accessing support via crucial community funded programs including Reflections Peer Recovery, the Guardian Advocate Program, Youth and Family Services and via two Central Florida Outlook Clinics -- where last year alone, the Parramore Outlook Clinic delivered more than 5,000 patient visits, offering critical services that change and save lives across our community.
Now in its 15th year, the Legacy of Champions Luncheon fuels this important work. This year’s theme, Resilience: The Stories We Share, will be held on May 28, 2026 (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM) at the Rosen Centre Hotel. This year’s luncheon highlights the power of personal narratives to illuminate pathways through grief and loss. The gathering takes place in the weeks leading up to the 10-year mark of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy — a moment that profoundly shaped Central Florida’s collective story. As the community continues to honor lives lost and support those impacted, this year’s theme serves as a reminder that healing begins by creating space to listen, to remember, and to stand together.