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Lawyers are trained to advocate, to problem-solve, and to carry the burdens of others. But somewhere in that professional training, many of us were taught—explicitly or implicitly—that our own struggles must be hidden, managed quietly, or worse, ignored.
The legal profession, long associated with prestige and resilience, is experiencing a mental health crisis of its own. And it is one we can no longer afford to ignore.
Rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use are consistently higher among lawyers than the general population.
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that 28% of lawyers struggle with depression, 19% with anxiety, and 20.6% qualify as problem drinkers. These numbers are likely underreported, as stigma continues to prevent many legal professionals from seeking help.
The problem begins early. Law students report higher levels of stress and mental health concerns than their peers, a trend that only worsens as they enter practice.
The demands of the profession contribute significantly to these challenges. Long hours, adversarial environments, high-stakes consequences, and constant exposure to trauma are all part of the job.
For litigators, every email can feel like a ticking time bomb. For transactional attorneys, the pressure to be perfect is unrelenting. Even for those in “less adversarial” roles, the weight of constant responsibility and client expectations can be emotionally exhausting.
But beyond the structural demands of the job, there is a cultural problem. The myth of the tireless lawyer who thrives on stress, who can work 80 hours a week and still be sharp, who never admits vulnerability—that myth is not just outdated. It is deadly.
Too many lawyers believe that admitting to mental health struggles is a sign of weakness. They fear that disclosure will cost them clients, promotions, or respect. Some fear it will cost them their license.
These fears are not entirely unfounded. While programs like the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, or JLAP, and others around the country offer confidential support and advocacy, many lawyers remain unaware of these resources or skeptical of their protections.
I have witnessed this struggle up close. As someone involved with JLAP and active in civil litigation, I have sat beside lawyers on the brink of burnout. I have seen colleagues break down under the weight of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and impossible expectations.
These are brilliant, dedicated professionals who have spent years advocating for others—but have never learned to advocate for themselves.
And that is the heart of the issue: we are trained to help others, not ourselves. Self-care is often dismissed as frivolous. Therapy is seen as a last resort. Time off is treated as a weakness. In a profession that prizes intellect and endurance, emotional health is still treated as optional.
This must change.
We must begin by changing how we talk about mental health in the legal community. Law firms, courts, and bar associations need to send a clear message: mental health is health.
Just as we would not shame a colleague for seeing a cardiologist, we should not shame someone for seeing a therapist. Just as we would not ignore the signs of a physical illness, we cannot afford to ignore the signs of emotional distress.
Next, we need to reevaluate how we define success. Billable hours and courtroom victories matter, but so do boundaries, rest, and emotional well-being.
Young lawyers, in particular, need mentors who model balance and vulnerability, not just grit and output. Senior attorneys should share not only their accomplishments but also their struggles. The next generation needs to know that it is possible to be a great lawyer and a human being at the same time.
Legal employers also have a role to play.
Creating a mentally healthy workplace is not just about offering an Employee Assistance Program or hosting a wellness seminar during Mental Health Awareness Month. It means fostering a culture where people feel safe speaking up, where workloads are reasonable, where flexibility is encouraged, and where mental health is seen as part of professional development.
Bar associations and licensing bodies must also do their part to remove the chilling effect that deters lawyers from seeking help. Questions about mental health on bar applications or disciplinary forms should focus on conduct, not diagnosis. Lawyers should not have to choose between getting treatment and preserving their careers.
Finally, we must turn inward. As individual lawyers, we need to learn how to check in with ourselves. What are our warning signs? What drains us? What sustains us?
We must treat rest as a strategic tool, not a guilty pleasure. We must cultivate friendships outside of work, hobbies that have nothing to do with the law, and routines that nourish rather than deplete us. We must learn, in short, to be advocates for our own well-being.
For those of us who work in high-stakes areas like civil rights, criminal defense, or family law, the need for this self-advocacy is even more urgent.
We bear witness to human suffering every day. We hear the stories of trauma, injustice, and despair—and we carry those stories with us. Without adequate support, this work can break even the most passionate advocate.
But with the right tools, it can also be transformative. Lawyers who tend to their mental health are not weaker; they are stronger. They are more present, more effective, and more sustainable in their work. They are better colleagues, better advocates, and better members of our profession.
It is time to retire the myth of the invincible lawyer. We are not machines. We are human beings doing hard, important work. And we deserve the same compassion and care that we extend to others.•
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Katherine Tapp is an attorney at The Poppe Law Firm, where she practices in Indiana and Kentucky. Her work focuses on civil rights litigation, medical and legal malpractice, and wrongful death/catastrophic injury cases. She is also actively involved in the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, or JLAP, advocating for mental health awareness within the legal profession. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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