Mental Health

Confronting the Psychological Toll of Personal Injury Law: A Call for Mental Health Awareness in the Legal Profession

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Personal injury law is often associated with high stakes and incredibly complex cases that tug at the very core of human empathy. Lawyers advocating for clients who have experienced trauma, loss, and life-altering injuries face significant emotional challenges. These cases can have a profound impact on the attorneys themselves, risking burnout and emotional exhaustion. Addressing…

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Nigerian Authorities Fail to Support Boko Haram Survivors, Amnesty Report Reveals

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Nigerian authorities have failed the girls and young women who escaped Boko Haram captivity in northeastern Nigeria, according to an Amnesty International report released Sunday. Boko Haram, a violent Islamist organization based in the country’s northeastern region, has been locked in conflict with government forces for over a decade. The conflict has left a destructive…

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New York Enacts Landmark Legislation to Protect Children from “Addictive” Social Media Algorithms

Pieter Gunst03 mins

New York state lawmakers have taken a significant step to protect the mental health of children by passing legislation that curbs “addictive” social media algorithms for users under 18. The new law, passed on Friday, mandates that social media platforms must display content to younger users in chronological order, rather than using recommendation algorithms. Additionally,…

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Emotional Intelligence Key to Tackling Mental Health Crisis in Legal Profession, Experts Say

Pieter Gunst01 mins

The legal profession has long been plagued by high rates of mental health issues, a problem exacerbated by attorneys’ early training and broader societal stereotypes. According to attorney Esperanza Franco, developing emotional intelligence presents a pathway to fostering positive change within the industry, both collectively and individually. Franco’s insights were shared in an investigation into…

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Addressing Mental Health in Law: Experts Discuss Strategies for Resilience and Support

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In this week’s Legal Speak episode, O’Melveny Chief Operating Officer George Demos, Christina McCarthy of One Mind at Work, and Stephanie Hildreth of ThirdHorizon discuss mental health challenges in the legal industry. They spoke with ALM Global Senior Vice President of Content Gina Passarella about how law firms and individual lawyers can address systemic issues…

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Lawyers Urged to Prioritize Professional Well-being by Refusing Work from Difficult Clients

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In the challenging and competitive landscape of the legal profession, attorneys often find themselves balancing the desire for steady client work and the need to maintain their own professional and personal well-being. A recent discussion on Above the Law delves into why more lawyers should feel empowered to refuse additional work from difficult clients. The…

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Early Law School Pressures Linked to Mental Health Struggles in Legal Profession, Experts Warn

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Mental health challenges within the legal profession often take root as early as law school, many legal professionals argue. Jennifer McIver, director of legal operations and industry insights at Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions, highlighted the high-pressure environment students face from the outset. “You walk into a classroom on day one, you’re expected to have read…

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Addressing the Overlooked Mental Health of Senior Lawyers and Partners

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Recent observations and discussions about lawyer wellbeing, though crucially important, often overlook a key group, senior attorneys or partners. Reports confirm that legal professionals, on the whole, are more prone to issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, and even suicide, compared to the general public. However, strategies implemented by law firms to address…

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Toxic Hierarchies in Biglaw: Addressing Mental Health Challenges for Young Attorneys

Pieter Gunst03 mins

As reported in a recent above the law article, young Biglaw attorneys are finding it increasingly difficult to cope in their work environment. The hierarchical structure that is characteristic of big law firms, primarily driven by the economics of the profession, appears to be fostering unhealthy workplace cultures that adversely affect individuals’ mental well-being. According…

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Law Firms Take Strides Toward Employee Mental Health and Well-Being Initiatives

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Over recent years, concerns around mental health and well-being in the workplace, particularly in high-pressure environments such as law firms, have become increasingly prevalent. Traditionally, the legal profession, especially within larger firms, is known for its rigorous work schedules and challenging workload. Increasingly, however, attitudes are shifting towards prioritising mental well-being, with several large law…

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Rising Anxiety and Fatigue Plague In-House Lawyers, Prompting Call for Support

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Increasing workloads, understaffed teams, and challenging company cultures are contributing to a rise in anxiety, fatigue, and stress experienced by in-house lawyers, according to a 2024 Mental Health Survey conducted by Law.com and ALM Intelligence. The survey, which garnered 79 responses from in-house counsel, a considerable increase from the previous year’s mere two dozen responders,…

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Peruvian Protests Erupt over Law Classifying Transgender Identities as Mental Illnesses

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In Peru, hundreds of protestors marched in the capital city to repeal the recent legislative act that labels transgender individuals as mentally ill in order to provide them healthcare benefits. The country’s Essential Health Insurance Plan, which broadly covers health conditions insured by health policies, includes transgender identities as mental health conditions. Activists from Coordinacion…

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Mental Health Trends in Legal Professions: Insights from the 2024 Global Survey

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In accordance with the recent 2024 survey which tracked responses from nearly 2,500 individuals, there’s a growing focus on mental health in legal professions worldwide. The importance of a healthy work environment and maintaining robust mental well-being has been highlighted within the corporate world, including law firms. The study closely scrutinizes the mental health trends…

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Young Lawyer Mental Health: Addressing Old School Expectations and Cultivating Empathy

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In the legal profession, the mental health of young lawyers has come under scrutiny due to so-called ‘old school’ expectations. Predominantly, these expectations revolve around long working hours, high stress environments and relentless competition. However, an underlying lack of empathy from more seasoned professionals also contributes to the issue, according to an analysis penned by…

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Combating Stress and Burnout: Strategies for In-House Counsel’s Mental Health

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a 2022 survey conducted by Axiom, it was found that approximately 78% of in-house lawyers felt stressed or burned out within their roles. Our current times demand an increased focus on mental health, but legal professionals especially need self-reflecting strategies to manage their workload and well-being. Various tactics have been suggested for managing stress,…

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Nebraska Violates Civil Rights of Mentally Ill Residents, US Department of Justice Finds

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that conditions in Nebraska are in violation of the civil rights of residents with serious mental illnesses, due to these individuals being unnecessarily segregated into institutional settings. This case has its origins in grievances voiced by Nebraskans who felt the state was improperly segregating mental health patients…

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In-House Leaders Join the Fight to Address Mental Health Crisis in Big Law

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The legal industry’s notable struggle with mental health issues has started to gain attention from high-ranking in-house leaders, whose influence can significantly impact the sector. Standout figures like Eric Greenberg, General Counsel of Cox Media Group, have joined the fight to address these critical issues plaguing legal firms. Through a process Greenberg calls “a leap…

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Transnational Repression Threatens Academic Freedom for Chinese, Hong Kong Students Abroad

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Students from China and Hong Kong studying abroad are finding themselves hesitant about engaging with political or ‘sensitive’ topics due to a fear of transnational repression, according to a report by Amnesty International. The report, titled “On My Campus, I am Afraid,” delves into how these nationals experience intimidation, harassment, and surveillance from Chinese authorities,…

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Mental Health and Homelessness: The Legal Quandary Affecting Law Graduates and Beyond

Pieter Gunst04 mins

When we think of law graduates, homelessness isn’t an image that typically springs to mind. Prestigious institutions like the University of Chicago Law School produce some of the best legal minds in the country, who often forge successful and lucrative careers. However, the harsh reality is that mental health issues, financial difficulties, or any number…

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Ukraine Approves Bill Allowing Certain Convicts to Join Army for Conditional Release

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, passed a bill on Wednesday that will potentially allow certain convicts to enlist in the army and hence become eligible for conditional release from serving their sentences. The bill awaits President Zelensky’s signature to become law, said MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak. The newly passed law, Draft law 11079-1, proposes amendments to…

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