Dr Geoff Gallop, former Premier of Western Australia, will discuss the challenge of living with a mental illness in a high profile profession when he gives the second Tristan Jepson Memorial Lecture.

The annual lecture, which is presented by the UNSW Faculty of Law, aims to provide practical ways forward in dealing with the high level of mental health problems in the legal profession.

In January 2006 Dr Gallop resigned from politics after five years as West Australian Premier and 20 years in state politics. He openly cited his battle with depression as the reason for his resignation. Dr Gallop is now the Director of the Graduate School of Government at the University of Sydney.

Speaking of the battle against depression Dr Gallop says, "seeking medical help is not a sign of weakness but rather the first step to what can become a real and lasting freedom."

The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion involving the managing partners of four Sydney law firms and will be moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Law at Sydney University, Professor Ron McCallum, in his last public appearance before his retirement.

The Tristan Jepson Memorial Fund has been established in memory of Tristan Jepson, a former UNSW law student and lawyer, to provide a framework and support for ongoing discussion and research on the issue of mental health in the legal profession.

What: Living with Mental Illness in a High Profile Profession - Dr Geoff Gallop presents the Tristan Jepson Memorial Lecture.When: 6pm, Thursday 13 September 2007Where: Banco Court, Supreme Court building, Queens Square, Sydney.Registration:gjepson@bigpond.net.au

MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria Brown, UNSW Media Office, tel. 9385 3263 or 0412 980 044.