Celebrating Wellbeing Week in Law

The legal profession has long been known for its high-pressure environment, demanding workloads, and long hours, which often take a toll on mental health. As the world continues to recognize the importance of mental wellbeing, it's more important than ever for law firms and legal professionals to prioritize mental health within the industry.

This year’s Wellbeing Week in Law brings an opportunity to take a step back, reflect on the current mental health trends in the legal field, and provide tools, resources, and insights to foster a supportive and healthy environment for everyone in the profession.

Let’s examine the findings from our State of Wellbeing in Law report, discuss the impact of mental health on law firms, and share actionable tips and resources to support mental health in the workplace.

Unmind’s 2024 State of Wellbeing in Law report offers an in-depth look into the state of mental health and wellbeing within the legal sector. Based on insights from over 4,400 participants across nine law firms, the report reveals both the challenges and opportunities for improvement. Here are a few key findings:

Financial impact 

We estimate that the average mid-size law firm is losing $33m due to poor mental health and lost productivity, equivalent to 10% of the annual salary bill. Presenteeism (working while unwell) accounts for 68% of this total. 

Turnover risk 

12.5% of survey respondents say they are considering leaving the legal industry in the next 6 months due to poor mental health 

Ongoing challenges 

High stress and poor mental health maturity (i.e. openly discussing mental health at work) continue to be the top challenges for the sector, which are significant drivers for poor performance due to mental health, acting as a barrier to accessing support. 

High-risk populations 

Associates (non-partner attorneys) are experiencing poorer wellbeing than partners for the second year running, with rates of excessive stress (26%) nearly twice the level of professional staff and partners

Generational disparities 

We also saw that younger employees (18-35 years old) are experiencing lower levels of wellbeing compared to older colleagues, with 17% likely to leave their role in the next six months due to poor mental health and  lower levels of perceived support from their firm and leaders. 

Gender disparities
We also observed gender differences in wellbeing. Across roles, female employees had lower levels of psychological safety (feeling safe to take risks and speak up openly at work). Female partners were also more likely to report work has a negative impact on their mental health and less confidence in career progression or opportunities for advancement compared to their male counterparts.  

If you haven’t already, be sure to watch our State of Wellbeing in Law webinar. In this session, we dive deeper into the findings of the 2024 study and discuss how law firms can take action to improve wellbeing, performance, and innovation.

In the webinar, you’ll learn:

• The financial impact of poor mental health on law firm performance and bottom lines.
• Opportunities for cultural growth, and how to foster a more supportive workplace environment.
• Wellbeing and mental health trends across demographics, with a focus on gender, age, and role.
• Recommendations for actionable change that can help your firm promote mental health, boost performance, and drive sustainable growth.

We’ve gathered a selection of resources to help you and your law firm prioritize mental health and wellbeing:

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): EAPs provide essential mental health support, offering everything from counseling services to wellness programs that can benefit both individual lawyers and entire law firms.

• Real Stories: Navigating Mental Health in the Legal Profession: Behind the numbers and findings, there are real people who have experienced the challenges and triumphs of managing their mental health. One of the key aspects of this year’s Wellbeing Week in Law is celebrating the stories of people who’ve navigated anxiety, burnout, and other mental health challenges.

These real stories are powerful reminders that mental health issues are not isolated - they affect all of us. By sharing these experiences, we can help break the stigma around mental health and encourage more people to seek the support they need.

As we continue to prioritize wellbeing in the legal sector, it’s crucial to stay focused on creating environments that support mental health and wellbeing. Let’s continue the conversation, break down the barriers to mental health support, and work together to create a more resilient, supportive legal profession. Together, we can make wellbeing a priority for everyone in law.