Mental health problems in the legal profession

Did you know? A study by the Law Society of England and Wales found that legal professionals are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population.

The study found that 42% of solicitors reported feeling stressed or very stressed in the past year, with 34% reported having experienced mental health problems.

Potential causes

There are a number of reasons why mental health problems are more common among legal professionals. These include:

• Long hours – Legal professionals often work long hours, which can lead to fatigue, burnout, and health problems.
• High stakes – The decisions that legal professionals make can have a significant impact on people’s lives, which can add to the stress of the job.
• Competition – The legal profession is highly competitive, which can lead to stress and anxiety.
• Trauma – Legal professionals may be exposed to traumatic events, such as death, violence, or abuse, which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Lack of control – Legal professionals often have little control over their workload or their schedule, which can add to stress.

If you are struggling with your mental health, please know that you are not alone.

Signs to look out for

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be struggling with their mental health, there are a number of signs to look out for. These include:

• Changes in mood – Such as feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable.
• Changes in behaviour – Such as withdrawing from social activities, isolating yourself, or engaging in self-destructive behaviours.
• Changes in sleep patterns – Such as sleeping too much or too little.
• Changes in appetite – Such as eating more or less than usual.
• Changes in energy levels– Such as feeling fatigued or having trouble concentrating.
• Thoughts of death or suicide

If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to seek help.

Managing stress

There are a number of things that legal professionals – or anyone for that matter – can do to manage stress, including:

• Set boundaries – Learn to set boundaries between their work and personal life. This means saying no to work-related requests outside of work hours and taking time for themselves to relax and recharge.
• Take breaks – Take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Getting up and moving around, or taking a few deep breaths, can help to reduce stress levels.
• Exercise – Exercise is a great way to relieve stress. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
• Get enough sleep – Getting enough sleep is essential for good mental and physical health. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
• Eat a healthy diet – Eating a healthy diet can help to improve mood and energy levels. Focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Practice relaxation techniques – There are a number of relaxation techniques that can help to reduce stress, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.
• Seek professional help – If stress is interfering with your work or your personal life, it’s important to seek professional help. A therapist can teach you coping mechanisms and help you to develop a stress management plan.

It’s important to take care of your mental health. Stress can have a negative impact on your physical and mental wellbeing, as well as your work performance. By taking steps to manage stress, you can improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Useful UK contacts for support

If you are a legal professional in the UK and you are struggling with your mental health, there are a number of resources available to help you. These include:

• LawCare – LawCare is a mental wellbeing charity that offer free, confidential, emotional support to anyone working in the legal community.
• The Law Society of England and Wales – The Law Society offers a range of support services for legal professionals, including a confidential helpline, a website with information and resources, and a directory of mental health professionals.
• The Bar Standards Board – The Bar Standards Board offers a range of support services for barristers, including a confidential helpline, a website with information and resources, and a directory of mental health professionals.
• The Solicitors Regulation Authority – The Solicitors Regulation Authority offers a range of support services for solicitors, including a confidential helpline, a website with information and resources, and a directory of mental health professionals.
• Mind – Mind is a mental health charity that offers a range of services, including a helpline, information and resources, and local support groups.
• Rethink Mental Illness – Rethink Mental Illness is a mental health charity that offers a range of services, including a helpline, information and resources, and local support groups.
• The Samaritans – The Samaritans is a charity that provides emotional support to people in distress, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you are struggling with your mental health, please know that you are not alone. There are many people who care about you and want to help. Please reach out for help if you need it.

Our approach

Here at Oakwood Solicitors, we have some useful resources to be aware of should you ever need that little extra support. We offer a fantastic EAP support network for all employees, which supports in many ways, some of which includes crisis team and up to 8 free counselling sessions.

We have mental health first aiders throughout the firm. If you ever a member of our team need a confidential chat, our Mental Health First Aiders are there for them.

Further reading

Signs of Stress (and how to combat it) – Oakwood Solicitors

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