Lawyers and Mental Health: By the Numbers
Lawyers are more likely than other professionals or the general public to be living with mental health conditions or substance abuse. Specifically,
18 Percent of lawyers report alcohol use that meets the criteria for alcohol dependency. This is almost double that of the general population (10%).
55 % of lawyers reported anxiety, and 29 % reported symptoms of depression.
48% reported signs of burnout
72 percent report they don’t have time for mental health treatment, while 29 percent report they are unsure where to go.
Junior Associates and female associates faced the highest risk.
In many cases, these struggles start in law school or before.
Sources:
1. The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys
2. 2024 Well-Being Report: The Divide Between Health & the Legal Industry