Why Many Lawyers Won’t Seek Help?

Lawyers are expected to display confidence, finesse, and have all of the answers no matter what. The law comes first before mental, emotional, or physical health. For many, billable hours and client needs are more important than family. When a lawyer takes their oath, some responsibilities come with having a law license.

Studies have shown that Lawyers in America suffer from a high rate of depression and substance use disorder compares to the general population.

Do you know that research by the “Task Force For Lawyer Well Being”, published by the American Bar Association states that:

1 out of every 11 lawyers has at least contemplated suicide.

1 out of every 4 lawyers is either depressed, anxious, or addicted.

Do you also know study carried out by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Program in 2016, states that:

28% of working lawyers reported depression

19% reported anxiety

23% were reported experiencing stress.

A large percentage of lawyers are in debt and financial trouble. Some are addicted. Their facade pushes everyone away.

FACING A PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT IN THE FAST LANE

Can You Admit to Any Of These Problems?

1. Struggling financially and in debt but pretending to have it all together.

2. Continuing to do what is not working and pretending nothing is wrong.

3. Working long hours, but not bringing home the money you need.

4. Competing for the same clients and no time to find new clients.

5. Feeling burned out, anxious, stressed, frustrated, or depressed.

6. Drinking, eating, or spending too much.

7. Thinking you don’t have what it takes and feeling inadequate.

8. Sporadic business development.

9. Taking classes to build a business, but they don’t work.

10. Blaming others for your unhappy law practice.

I can imagine a lawyer’s final moments. Feeling alone, no support, feeling isolated, hopeless, or nowhere to turn.

Overcome, overwhelmed, and either afraid or too proud to ask for help.

I remember an attorney, I’ll call Chad, who called me in desperation. He wanted to end his life. We both took his situation seriously. He had already had much therapy, gone to psychiatrists, and was on medication but nothing helped.

We needed to get to the source of his problem. We had to identify the cause, who, what, where, when, and how.

• WHO was this alien inside of him that wanted him to take his own life.
• WHAT were the tapes that he was listening to or hearing that was urging him towards self-destruction.
• WHERE was he when he was first triggered? At home, work? or someplace else?
• WHEN was he going to take control back in his life? (I gave him the necessary tools.)
• HOW he was going to apply my formula to regain his life, his enthusiasm, and happiness,

Within 90 days Chad had a new lease on life. He regained his desire to live, he found contentment and peace of mind. He began to enjoy his law practice again.

DON’T IGNORE THE SIGNS THAT YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SUFFERING. WE HAVE LOST TOO MANY LAWYERS IN RECENT YEARS.