Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Legal Field: Coping Strategies and Resources

In this article we discuss how lawyers can look after themselves, maintain their mental health and implement positive coping strategies. Being a lawyer can be a stressful pursuit, but enlisting help and seeking support can make the difference between burnout and a long and successful career.

The Australian legal profession can be incredibly demanding and stressful. It often has long hours and high client expectations to deal with. Further, a lawyer is often dealing with clients whom have significant commercial, criminal or complex family issues which can take their toll on your emotional health. It's no surprise that many lawyers in Australia find themselves overworked and feeling burnt out. Read on to discover the importance of maintaining your mental health, practicing self-care and looking after your wellbeing . Being aware of the challenges to your mental health in the legal field and having access to coping strategies and resources can help you to manage the many challenges lawyers face.

Understanding the Legal Industry's Mental Health Challenges

Long Working Hours

The legal profession is notorious for its long working hours, with many lawyers routinely working well beyond a 40-hour week. Over time,  long hours and sustained stress can lead to exhaustion and burnout.

High Pressure and Responsibility

Lawyers often deal with high-stakes cases and complex legal issues. The pressure to perform at a high level and deliver positive outcomes for your client can take a toll on your mental health.

Client Expectations

Some clients can be demanding and expect their lawyer to be available and responsive at all times. Managing these expectations can create constant stress and anxiety.

Emotional Toll

Dealing with sensitive and emotional cases can be draining for anyone in the legal profession and can lead to both compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion.

Coping Strategies for Lawyers

So, how exactly can you maintain your status as a high performing lawyer, manage your client expectations, have some semblance of work-life balance and keep yourself at peak mental health?

Set Boundaries

Where you can, establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Make time for relaxation, healthy eating, hobbies, socialising and spending time with loved ones. This helps prevent burnout and promotes a healthier work-life balance.

Self-Care

Prioritise self-care practices such as regular exercise, meditation, and getting enough sleep. Consider what it is that makes you feel relaxed. Maybe it is a massage, maybe it’s a walk among nature. These activities can improve overall well-being and resilience to stress.

Seek Support

Asking for help demonstrates self-awareness and personal strength. If you need it, seek support from colleagues, mentors, or mental health professionals. Talking about your challenges and feelings can be therapeutic. A mental health professional can help give you tools, techniques and tricks to help you to cope with onerous workloads and challenging circumstances.

Actively Manage Your Workload

It sounds easy, but not everyone manages their own workload effectively. Often in the legal profession people pleasing and perfectionism can be rife. Communicate with supervisors and clients about workload limitations, deadlines and priorities. Delegate tasks when possible and focus on tasks that align with your expertise, skills and experience.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness techniques can help you stay present, reduce anxiety, and improve your ability to handle stressors. Consider mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises.

Resources for Legal Professionals

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Many law firms and corporations offer EAPs, providing confidential counselling and resources to address personal and professional challenges.

Legal Industry Associations:

Organisations like the Law Institute of Victoria, Law Society of New South Wales and the Law Council of Australia often have mental health and well-being resources available to their members.

We have included some links below:

Law Institute Victoria Wellbeing resources

Law Society Mental Health & Wellbeing resources

Law Council of Australia Mental health and Wellbeing in the Legal Profession

Mental Health Apps

Several apps, such as Headspace, Smiling Minds and Calm, offer guided meditation and stress-relief exercises that lawyers can use during breaks or after work. The website Insighttimer.com also has the world’s largest free library of more than 180,000 guided meditations or consider My Compass which is an online self-help program developed by the Black Dog Institute with 14 modules that teach cognitive behavioural techniques and strategies to help manage your mood. 

Professional Therapists and Counsellors

If needed, consider seeking professional help from therapists who specialise in working with lawyers or individuals in high-stress professions. You can find a full list of mental health professionals on the Beyond Blue website here.

Prioritising your mental health and well-being is crucial for busy Australian lawyers. The pressures of the legal profession are unlikely to go away in the near future. Increased demand for legal services and the challenges of filling roles and replacing vacancies often add to the workload.

By implementing coping strategies, seeking support, and being aware of and utilising available resources, legal professionals can not only survive but thrive in their careers while maintaining their mental health. Remember, seeking help and taking care of your well-being is a sign of strength, not weakness. In the legal field, a healthy mind is an asset, and it's essential to invest in it for long-term success and happiness!

Should you need help finding your next career opportunity or a confidential career discussion please get in touch at [email protected]. We are specialists in the Legal Industry. We recruit Lawyers, Support staff and HR professionals in Melbourne, Australia.