Mental Health in the Legal Field (with Resources)

Caution: The following blog post contains information about suicide and substance abuse, which may be difficult or triggering for some readers. If you need support, please contact Crisis Service Canada at 1-833-456-4566, or text 4-5-6-4-5.

Addressing Mental Health in the Legal Field

Many legal professionals are aware of the heavy workloads and the high-pressure, high-stakes environment they face. Legal professionals almost take pride in how much work they have, and how many billable hours they work. Since legal work often extends beyond weekdays, it's typical for lawyers to work 50-60 hours per week, with some pushing themselves to nearly 80 hours or more to meet client demands. While this level of dedication can be commendable, it is also detrimental to their physical and mental well-being. In our 2024 Legal Report, 50% of legal professionals identified burnout and extended working hours as critical issues requiring attention within the legal industry.

Prolonged exposure to these conditions can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased job satisfaction, compromised mental health, and increased risk of substance abuse. According to the Legal Professional Assistance Coverence of Canada (LPAC), studies have shown that the rate of alcoholism in the legal profession is between 15% and 24%.

In other words, roughly 1 in 5 lawyers are addicted to alcohol.

Statistics on Health & Wellness Among Legal Professionals in Canada

Insights from the National Study on Health & Wellness Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada:

• Section 1: Burnout Rates:

  67% of legal professionals aged 31-35 experience the highest proportions of burnout.

  69.8% of legal professionals living with a disability report high levels of burnout.

• Section 2: Anxiety Symptoms:

  52% of legal professionals aged 35 and under report the highest anxiety symptoms.

• Section 3: Depressive Symptoms:

  36% of legal professionals with less than 10 years of experience report the highest depressive symptoms.

  34% of legal professionals under 40 years of age report the highest depressive symptoms.

• Section 4: Suicide Ideation:

  24.4% of lawyers report experiencing suicide ideation.

  61.9% of legal professionals who identify as non-binary report experiencing suicide ideation.

Understanding Burnout in the Legal Field

According to the National Study on Health & Wellness, 55% of legal professionals are experiencing burnout in their work. While burnout is not a medical diagnosis, some experts believe that conditions like depression and anxiety contribute to it. In other words, while depression, anxiety, and burnout are distinct and require different treatments, burnout can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Over time, this unrelenting pressure can result in physical and emotional exhaustion, reduced performance, and disengagement from work. What does burnout look like? Below is a table that outlines contributing factors to burnout and some symptoms of burnout.

How to Mitigate Burnout

The short answer is: take a break.

This, we know, is often easier said than done. Many fear that taking time off will harm their work, often because they worry that if they don't do the work themselves, no one else will. This is simply not true. The firm can better cope with your absence for a few days than risk losing you completely due to burnout. According to Builtin, losing an employee can cost an organisation anywhere from half to twice the employee's annual salary. So, the message here is clear: take the break.

Consider These Additional Measures to Prevent Burnout

• Set Boundaries:
  

  Setting boundaries in the workplace allows you to focus on tasks that align with your role and responsibilities, which supports both your mental and physical well-being. One key aspect of setting boundaries is learning when to say “no,” whether to colleagues or clients. It's important to understand that saying “no” won't make you a worse legal professional, just as saying “yes” to everything doesn't always ensure client satisfaction.

  Similarly, when you go on vacation, make sure to unplug. Inform your colleagues and clients about your availability and the duration of your absence. Remember that, like all professionals, you deserve a break too.

• Find Support:
  

  Struggling with burnout alone can make it harder to overcome. Reach out to loved ones, family, friends, partners, or close co-workers for support. They can offer encouraging words, help brainstorm solutions, and hold you accountable to ensure you're taking breaks and prioritising your mental health.

• Therapy:
  

  A therapist can offer professional guidance by helping you identify the causes of burnout and explore coping methods to navigate life's challenges. Remember, burnout results from various factors, both work-related and non-work-related. A therapist can also assist with more severe cases of burnout, which can provoke feelings of helplessness and contribute significantly to depression and anxiety.

• Take Regular Breaks:
  

  Advocate for regular breaks. From legal assistants to senior partners, breaks are essential. Give your mind a rest by doing something enjoyable, like taking a short walk or simply staring out the window. As a legal professional, productivity often means working long hours and pushing through, but it's important to take breaks. According to Harvard Business Review, analysing 80 different studies has shown that pausing work throughout the day can improve well-being and increase productivity. Contrary to the popular belief that long hours enhance performance, research suggests that taking breaks during work hours can actually boost it.

Resources for Legal Professionals in Canada

Burnout is a widespread problem that is affecting many legal professionals — you are not alone and there are many resources available to help. For those struggling with burnout or other mental health challenges, there are resources available to provide support.

• Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP): Offers confidential counselling and support services for legal professionals. Find out more information on who you can contact in your region . The LAP is a confidential service designed to help lawyers, paralegals, law students, judges and other legal professionals and family members achieve health and wellness goals.
• Government of Canada website: This page provides a list of helpful phone numbers and resources, according to province, and includes information about numerous resources, from services offered by national mental health organisations like the Canadian Mental Health Association, to free online courses from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, to the Suicide Crisis Helpline.

Other Resources

• Canadian Mental Health Association:
  For any mental health resources needed.
• Wellness Together Canada:
  Although the Wellness Together Canada service is no longer available, the website continues to link to mental health resouces including free, confidential mental health and substance use support, including one-on-one counselling, self-guided resources, and peer support.
• Mental Health Commissions Canada:
  Provides resources and initiatives specifically designed to support mental health in the workplace, including training programs like The Working Mind.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline:
  If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (the Suicide Crisis Helpline) and speak with a helpline counsellor. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you need support, please do not hesitate to access these resources.

Conclusion

Addressing mental health in the legal field requires a concerted effort to combat burnout and toxic work environments. By promoting a culture of support, inclusivity, and well-being, we can create a healthier, more sustainable profession for all.

To help make a difference, Tracument is currently raising funds to support the Distress Centres of Toronto, which also staff the National Suicide Hotline. If you wish to donate, please visit our Walk to End Suicide donation page. Your support is greatly appreciated.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 for 24/7 support.

If you're in immediate danger or need urgent medical support, always call 9-1-1.