Summary
- Lawyers and other legal professionals have significantly higher rates of mental health issues than the general population.
- Asking for help if you are experiencing mental health issues is not a sign of weakness.
It is not news that lawyers and other legal professionals have significantly higher rates of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, when compared to the overall population. Lawyers, mental health professionals, and others focused on well-being in the legal profession are spending substantial time, energy, and money looking for ways to turn this around for the profession as a whole, and it is important that this work continues.
This article, however, is intended to provide resources for someone going through a mental health crisis now (or thinks they might be). The recent suicide of a partner at a major United Kingdom law firm should ring alarm bells for anyone feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or overstressed. If this feels familiar to you, please get help now.
Warning Signs: If you, or someone you know, are experiencing the following, please seek help immediately (see American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, afsp.org).
Here are some of the national resources available. You may have resources that are closer to home, too, including through work or your local bar association. If you don’t think you can wait to find a therapist or other help, please take advantage of the resources below to help you bridge the gap. The important thing is to get help now.
As lawyers and legal professionals, we are taught that mistakes are not acceptable and that we should be able to work through any stressful situation. This is simply not true, and it is important for you to give yourself permission to not be okay and to seek help. It is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a sign of strength to get help when you need it. Use this resource guide proactively to help yourself be a better and healthier person and legal professional.