24% increase in the number of people contacting LawCare for support

Increase in demand for support

LawCare, the mental wellbeing charity for the legal community, has seen a 24% increase in the number of legal professionals contacting them for support. This is based on the number of contacts from January to August 2023, compared with the same period in 2022. 

Legal professionals are overwhelmed and stressed, and these mental health concerns can be exacerbated or caused by the work environment. These are tough times for legal professionals adjusting to a post pandemic world, against a backdrop of global financial crisis, with heavy workloads, unrealistic targets and a workplace culture where there is still stigma about being open and honest about your mental health. The increased demand for support from LawCare reflects the increasing pressures of day-to-day life in the law and the lack of protection of mental health in the legal workplace.

• There has been a 24% increase in the number of people contacting LawCare for support so far in 2023.

• Legal professionals are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and these mental health concerns can be exacerbated or caused by their work environment. 

• Legal professionals have the right to have their mental health protected when they are working, and employers have a responsibility to create mentally healthy workplaces. 

• On World Mental Health Day (10 October) LawCare are launching new guidance for employers on protecting mental health in legal workplaces.  

• If you need support contact our helpline on 0800 279 6888, email support@lawcare.org.uk or access online chat and other resources at www.lawcare.org.uk.

People have the right to have their mental health protected in the legal workplace

In light of this increased demand for support, LawCare wants to encourage employers to do more to create mentally healthy workplaces and protect mental health.  

On World Mental Health Day (Tuesday 10 October), LawCare are launching new guidance for employers to help them take steps to protect mental health at work by reducing the risks legal professionals face to their mental health at work, also known as psychosocial risks, rather than waiting until mental health issues have arisen. See: www.lawcare.org.uk/get-information/articles/creating-a-mentally-healthy-workplace/

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare said that, “The tendency in legal workplaces is to respond to colleagues with work related mental health concerns once a problem has arisen. The goal should be to prevent these developing in the first place. Workplaces need to move from a support based approach to mental health to a risk based approach. 

The legal workplace is characterised by inherent psychosocial risks to mental health - working long hours, poor work life balance, meeting the expectations of demanding clients, heavy caseloads, the pressure of deadlines and billing targets, whilst maintaining high standards of ethical and professional conduct. Employers need to accept there are risks to mental health in the accepted working practices in law and take steps to mitigate, modify or remove these risks. Employers should focus on how the workplace can protect the mental health of their people, not undermine it.”