Mental wellbeing charity sees 24% increase in number of legal professionals seeking support

There has been a 24% increase in the number of people contacting LawCare for support so far in 2023, the mental wellbeing charity for the legal community has revealed.

LawCare said this was based on the number of contacts from January to August 2023, compared with the same period in 2022.

The charity added: “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.”

LawCare said that, in light of this increased demand for support, it wanted to encourage employers to do more to create mentally healthy workplaces and protect mental health.

On World Mental Health Day (10 October), the charity will be 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”.

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare, said: “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.”

If you need support contact LawCare’s helpline on 0800 279 6888, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or access online chat and other resources at www.lawcare.org.uk.