Dramatic increase in the number of people seeking support because of bullying at work
Our 2023 impact report shows an increase in the number of people contacting LawCare for mental health support in 2023, with a sharp rise in people getting in touch because of workplace bullying.
Our impact report shows that mental health struggles continue to be a serious concern.
- There was a 14% increase in the number of people contacting LawCare for mental health support in 2023.
- There has been a 95% increase in the number of people saying that workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination was their primary reason for seeking support from LawCare.
“2023 was one of our busiest years ever at LawCare, second only to 2020 when the pandemic started. I would urge individuals and organisations to start taking active steps to create working environments which better protect mental health and where bullying and harassment are not tolerated. We need to drive a collective responsibility in our sector to tackle bullying and harassment by identifying the workplace factors that can lead to it, such as low psychological safety and managers with little or no training and support, and taking positive action to address these."
Let's talk about bullying and harassment at work webinar
LawCare wants to get the legal sector talking about bullying and harassment, and educated about how to tackle it, and is running a free webinar on Thursday 8 February 2024, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm,
LawCare have invited a panel of legal professionals and bullying experts to discuss bullying in the legal workplace and practical strategies for addressing it.
“We need to continue to challenge the stigma that prevents many still from speaking up about their mental health and seeking support. Each single act of storytelling, awareness raising, or advocacy contributes to transforming legal culture. You may never know the impact of your voice - you may give someone the confidence to seek help, provide them with the comfort of feeling less alone, or enable them to speak up too.”
Mental health support
LawCare’s was contacted by 663 people for mental health support in 2023.
- We’ve spent 236 hours talking to callers on the phone, and 51 hours helping people via on online chat.
- The average phone call is 25 minutes and the average online chat lasts 36 minutes.
- Our peer supporters gave ongoing one-to-one support to 70 people.
Notes for editors about the 2023 impact report
For all media enquiries contact Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO, on erimmer@lawcare.org.uk or 07951 277741
The impact report provides an insight into the work led by LawCare’s board, staff, volunteers and champions to provide mental health support to the legal community.
- There was a 14% increase in the number of people contacting LawCare for mental health support; that is 633 people in 2023, up from 583 in 2022.
- In 2023, 92 people who contacted LawCare for mental health support said that workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination was their primary reason for seeking support. That is up 95% from 47 in 2022.
About LawCare
- LawCare provides free and confidential emotional support, peer support and information about mental health for anyone working in the law in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. We offer training, educational resources and research that promotes positive change in legal culture and practice to support mental health.
- We work with legal educators, regulators, professional bodies, special interest groups and legal practices to encourage healthy legal workplaces that support mental health and challenge the stigma that can make it hard for some people to seek help.
- We’ve been supporting legal professionals for over 25 years, and we understand life in the law.
- We are here to help all branches of the legal profession: solicitors, barristers, advocates, judges, Chartered Legal Executives, paralegals, trademark attorneys, patent attorneys, costs lawyers, notaries, licensed conveyancers, support staff and concerned family members.
- Our support spans the legal life from student to retirement.
- 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
We're here to listen...without judgement
Contact our free, confidential, emotional support service for the legal sector
0800 279 6888
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