One of the largest studies on the state of mental wellbeing among lawyers found that many are stressed, depressed and struggling.
According to an analysis of roughly 37,000 actively licensed lawyers across 28 jurisdictions in the US, researchers found that 21.7% met thresholds for moderate to extremely severe depressive symptoms. Additionally, 20.4% met these thresholds for anxiety, and 18.9% for stress. Other findings from the study include:
- Nearly half – 47.4% – screen positive for high burnout.
- 15.6% were classified with severe burnout.
- 35.9% reported high or very high conflict between work and personal life.
- 41.8% screened positive for risky drinking standards under clinical thresholds.
- 26.3% met the higher hazardous-drinking cutoff, but only 2.3% reported a current alcohol use disorder diagnosis.
- 41.1% said their time in law had harmed their mental health.
- 27% had considered leaving the profession because of mental health concerns, burnout or stress.
- Only 39.1% believed employers were doing enough to aid their mental load.
Breaking Down The Numbers
A deeper look at the data suggests that the risks were not spread evenly across all lawyer groups:
- Younger lawyers showed the highest mental health risks.
- Men were more likely to report depression.
- Women were more likely to report higher levels of anxiety and stress.
- Solo practitioners and lawyers in private firms showed higher predicted distress and burnout than those working in-house or in a judicial setting.
- Lawyers working at least 71 hours a week had substantially higher stress and burnout risk than those working 40.
These numbers are concerning, but not all that surprising. We have been very fortunate to have found a groove in our more senior years of practice where we are surrounded by wonderful individuals who all help to shoulder a burden and keep one person from getting burned out. It’s not easy, and we can say with absolute certainty that we have been on the other end of the spectrum earlier in our career. It’s an extremely demanding profession, but it’s also incredibly rewarding when you can get to a point where you have a healthy work-life balance. We wouldn’t trade it for anything, but we also acknowledge that this world isn’t for everyone.
But if you are in this world, know that we are cheering for your to succeed and we recommend that you do what you need to do to care for your mental health. We found this balance by eventually surrounding ourselves with the right people and committing to working just as hard on our personal and familial relationships as we do for our clients. It’s not easy, but it can get easier. Talk with someone about your mental health if you are struggling, and know that if things aren’t working out in your current role that you have other options. These opportunities may not come overnight, but remember that you control your own destiny, and don’t stick with something if it’s having a supremely negative effect on your mental, physical and emotional health.
We’re here for our clients in their time of need, and we can be the best lawyer to their clients because we’re mindful of our mental health. All lawyers should try their best to do the same.
If you need help with a legal issue, connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
