Depression and anxiety still plaguing this sector

The intense environment of the courtroom – along with the demands of legal practice, in general – is pushing a high percentage of lawyers to the brink of poor mental health, according to a new survey from legal network Meritas Australia and New Zealand.

More than four in five legal practitioners (85%) from small and midsize law firms in Australia and New Zealand claimed they, or someone close to them in the industry, struggle with anxiety.

On the other hand, three in five respondents (60%) reported they, or a colleague close to them, suffer from depression.

The legal profession trains lawyers and staff to be independent: to find solutions on their own. This attitude of self-reliance, however, can sometimes prevent them from seeking professional help.

READ MORE: Workplace mental health – are your line managers prepared?

Barriers to seeking help for depression and anxiety include:

• Employees choosing to manage mental health issues on their own
• Concerns about asking for help or what others might think of them
• Concerns over the cost of treatment
• Lack of confidence in the intervention methods
• Limited access to treatment or intervention

Shattering the stigma

While 77% of legal practitioners reported their company has an ‘open door policy’ for people in need of support, one in three respondents said it would be unlikely for them to seek help.

“Stigma and a fear of reaching out remains a critical barrier that hinders many people from seeking help,” Mary Digiglio, chairwoman of Meritas Australia and New Zealand, told ABC News.

The past decade has seen law firms making great strides in building a resilient workforce, but there is more work to be done, she said. “We each need to take responsibility to look out for each other and continue to nurture a supportive and open culture to reduce the prevalence of mental illness in the legal profession.”

If you or someone you know is in need of help, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.