Many lawyers need extra support at some stage during their legal careers. Legal professionals often think it’s a sign of weakness to admit that they have a problem or aren’t coping.
Here we share real stories of people in the legal community who have experienced common concerns: stress, depression, anxiety and alcohol dependence. Each person has openly shared how they recognised they had a problem, the steps they took to seek help, and how they moved on positively.
How I Coped with Alcohol Dependence
Like most of my friends I enjoyed a drink through my late teens and early twenties, usually at the weekend. I qualified as a psychiatric nurse at 22, and by 25 had moved from Belfast to London to... Read More
How I Coped with Anxiety
I am 46 and a father of three. I am an employment lawyer by training, having been a partner in Jones Day and then Speechly Bircham, where I led the employment team and sat on the firm’s management... Read More
How I Coped with Depression
As I moved into my mid 50’s, I felt less secure in my job, which I had – I now see wrongly – come to believe was the bedrock of my existence. This was despite having a happy marriage, great children... Read More
How I Coped with Stress
My name is Jonathan de Lance-Holmes and I work for Linklaters LLP as a partner in the Investment Management Group. I have been working for Linklaters LLP for some time. I am married with two children... Read More
My experience of returning to work after mental illness (video)
Sam Brown, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, tells us about her experience of returning to work after a mental illness.... Read More
My experiences with depression (video)
Chris Parsons filmed this video as part of the This is Me campaign.... Read More
My experiences with mental health in the legal workplace (video)
Paula Dillon is a highly regarded development and investment lawyer at Womble, Bond and Dickinson with more than 30 years’ experience. She is also a member of the Northern board of the IPF and also... Read More
My experiences with stress (video)
Caroline Bradley, barrister and LawCare volunteer, on her experiences with stress.... Read More
