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As referenced in our Strategic Plan, the Law Society of Alberta sees mental health and well-being as an important aspect of ethical and competent lawyering. Well-being can impact a lawyer’s ability to perform to their best ability. Conversely, feeling that one has done all they can to competently conduct their work can help reduce stress related to feeling underprepared or overwhelmed.
The recent National Study on the Health and Wellness Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada (the Study) draws attention to many areas where shifts in perception and additional supports are necessary for legal professionals so they can both perform at their best and be well. A total of 7,817 participants completed the questionnaire that informed the Study, including 806 lawyers from Alberta.
One of the areas the Study explores is the idea of the lawyer identity, which has traditionally left little space for imperfection or a well-balanced life. Of course, no one is perfect and accepting this requires vulnerability. This has not traditionally been part of the lawyer identity, but the Study shows that this identity requires some reshaping if we are to be a healthy, and perhaps counterintuitively, high-performing profession.
Read the article to learn about the Study, resources available to lawyers seeking assistance, fostering supportive environments and destigmatizing mental health issues.
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