Suicide Prevention Month: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Legal Industry

Authored By: Candace Whitman

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health and remind those who may be struggling that they are not alone and that there are resources available to help them.

Mental health is an important issue across every profession, including the legal industry. Research has found that lawyers experience higher-than-average rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and suicidal thoughts.

While the challenges of practicing law can be demanding, recognizing those challenges and creating a culture where people feel comfortable asking for help can make a meaningful difference.

Why Mental Health Matters in the Legal Profession

Lawyers often work in high-pressure environments, manage demanding caseloads, and carry significant responsibilities for their clients, their firms, and their teams. For trial lawyers, there may also be the added emotional weight of working on cases involving serious injuries, loss, injustice, or trauma.

Lawyers may feel pressure to always appear confident, capable, and in control. The culture of the profession can sometimes make it difficult to acknowledge when things are becoming overwhelming.

But asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. Taking care of your mental health is an important part of taking care of yourself, your career, and the people who depend on you.

Mental Health Resources for Lawyers

Help is available, whether someone needs immediate crisis support, professional assistance, or simply someone to talk to. Here are a few helpful resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. You can also access their online chat at 988Lifeline.org.

American Bar Association Mental Health Resources: The American Bar Association has numerous resources on their website including a well-being toolkit for lawyers and legal employers, a directory for the Lawyer Assistance Program, a well-being pledge, resources for law students, and more. Visit their Mental Health Awareness resources page to learn more. 

Supporting Each Other

If a colleague, friend, or family member seems unusually withdrawn, overwhelmed, hopeless, or simply isn't acting like themselves, consider checking in on them.

Encourage them to connect with a mental health professional or a crisis resource that can help them find the appropriate support.

For law firms, encouraging reasonable boundaries, checking in with team members, making mental health resources easy to find, and creating a culture where taking care of yourself is a priority.

At Advocate Capital, we care deeply about the lawyers and legal professionals we have the privilege of working with. Plaintiff attorneys dedicate their careers to advocating for others, often taking on some of the most challenging and emotionally difficult cases. They deserve that same care and compassion in return.

This Suicide Prevention Month, let's make time to check in with the people around us, talk openly about mental health, and remind one another that asking for help is okay.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

Photo Credit: 123RF - ongkachakon

About Donna A. Jones

Donna Jones is the President at Advocate Capital, which became a part of Pinnacle in 2019. Ms. Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of Advocate Capital and serves as a member of the Credit Committee. Her responsibilities include education and training of Advocate Capital staff regarding civil litigation, coaching new clients on the fundamentals of Advocate’s online services, as well as its proprietary software application, AdvoTrac®, and all activities related to existing and prospective clients.