Past OBA President Orlando Da Silva will receive a Law Society Medal for his work to bring mental health issues to the forefront of the legal profession.
Da Silva began to speak publicly about his experience with depression during his 2014-15 presidential term, and spearheaded the OBA’s Opening Remarks campaign to advance a conversation about mental health and support mental health among Ontario lawyers.
“In bravely sharing his personal story and launching the OBA’s Opening Remarks campaign, Orlando has done an outstanding job promoting mental health awareness in the legal community,” said current OBA President Ed Upenieks. “His dedication to promoting mental health in the profession and beyond is truly inspirational.”
Under Da Silva’s leadership, the OBA’s Opening Remarks campaign featured the award-winning Mindful Lawyer CPD Series, which continues into 2016, a series of mental health briefs to help lawyers better understand mental health, and a cross-professional summit promoting openness about mental health.
Da Silva will receive the Law Society Medal at a ceremony on May 25 alongside his fellow Law Society Award winners, including several OBA members.