#Lawyers often report feeling stressed, and #lawyers with high-#stress levels are significantly more likely to contemplate #suicide.
#Lawyers are prone to #mentalhealthissues that are strongly linked to the risk of #suicide, such as #depression and #anxiety.
Overcommitment is often valued and rewarded in law, but #lawyers who over-commit to their work are more likely to think about #suicide.
Most research on the link between occupation and #suicide focuses on health professions. However, many of the highest rates of suicides occur in those with other occupations, such as construction workers and #lawyers (Peterson et al., 2018).
Many #lawyers who contemplate #suicide report their work is detrimental to their #mentalhealth and increases their #substance and/or #alcohol use. Some report they have considered leaving their profession because of the burnout and #mentalhealthproblems it has caused (Krill et al., 2023).
Among the general population, an average of 4.3 percent of #American #adults have contemplated #suicide (Ivey-Stephenson et al., 2022). That means they have reported thinking that they would be better off dead or hurting themselves either “several days,” “more than half the days,” or “nearly every day” of the week. For #lawyers, that statistic is more than double.
An estimated 8.5 percent of #lawyers have contemplated #suicide (Krill et al., 2023).
Why is there a jump in suicidal thinking among #lawyers, and what can we do about it? Well, science has some answers.
They Are Stressed
#Lawyers face high expectations. They lead vulnerable clients through difficult times, often juggling emotional or aggressive outbursts from clients. They handle cases involving divorce, child custody, robbery, assault, injury, rape, murder, crisis, accidents, bankruptcy, property loss, immigration, deportation, and injustice. They must work long hours to tackle complex legal cases within tight deadlines, all while remaining professional and satisfying their clients.
With stressors like these, it is perhaps no surprise that #suicides by #lawyers are 91 percent more likely to be attributed to job #stress than other #suicides (Stack & Bowman, 2023).
#Stress, the perception that one’s life or work is unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overwhelming, is a known predictor of #suiciderisk (Cole et al., 2015). #Lawyers with high #stress levels are 22 times more likely to contemplate #suicide than those with low perceived #stress, and #lawyers with intermediate #stress levels are 5.5 times more likely to contemplate #suicide (Krill et al., 2023).
They Are Depressed
#Lawyers are prone to #mentalhealthissues strongly linked with an increased risk of #suicide, including #depression, #anxiety, #stress, and #substanceabuse (Krill et al., 2023). In a nationwide study of #lawyers in the #UnitedStates, 28 percent reported experiencing #depression, 19 percent reported experiencing #anxiety, 23 percent reported #stress, 21 percent reported experiencing #alcoholabuse, and 11 percent reported experiencing #drugabuse (Krill et al., 2016).
#Lawyers with #mentalhealthconditions and/or current #substancedisorders are significantly more likely to have #suicidalthoughts and more severe suicidality (Krill et al., 2023). #Lawyers with at least one diagnosed #mentalillness are 1.8 times more likely to contemplate #suicide than those with no history of #mentalillness (Krill et al., 2023).
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Overcommitment involves a desire to control and an inability to disconnect from work. It is a coping mechanism for high-#stress environments that rely on approval, esteem, and attention to detail (Volanti et al., 2018). Signs include constantly thinking about work and being unable to relax from work, which can lead to burnout, exhaustion, cynicism, and psychological distress (Krill et al., 2023).
Overcommitment is often valued and rewarded in law, starting with grades in law #school and ending in #financial rewards and honors. However, while motivating, external validation does not add to psychological well-being or happiness (Krill et al., 2023), and overcommitment to work can distract #lawyers from fulfilling activities and relationships that improve well-being. In other words, #stress, #depression, over-commitment, and #loneliness all contribute to each other.
#Lawyers with a high level of work overcommitment are 2.2 times more likely to contemplate #suicide compared to those who are not overcommitted to their work. #Lawyers with an intermediate level of work overcommitment are 1.6 times more likely to contemplate #suicide (Krill et al., 2023).
They Are Lonely
#Loneliness, the perception that one’s social needs are not being met, is a known #suicideriskfactor (Motillon-Toudic et al., 2022). #Lawyers also often report feeling lonely or socially isolated (Ash & Huang, 2022). This may seem counterintuitive for a profession that requires daily communication and interactions, but #lawyers hold positions of authority.
As authority figures, #lawyers’ communications are often one-way. They provide support and knowledge to someone else, often making them feel seen and heard in times of crisis, but they do not get the luxury of support in return. That is the nature of the job. However, when there is no work-life balance, #lawyers do not have the time to develop and maintain meaningful connections and relationships that would buffer them from #loneliness.
Law is also a highly competitive profession, so that might impede #lawyers’ opportunities to form meaningful connections with their peers (Achor et al., 2018).
#Lawyers who are lonely are 2.8 times more likely to contemplate #suicide than #lawyers who are not (Krill et al., 2023).
But They Are Hopeful
While #stress, #loneliness, over-commitment, and a history of #mentalhealthissues increase #lawyers’ risk of #suicide, we can do things to improve their lives and well-being.
On the systemic level, changing the atmosphere of the legal profession might help eliminate some of the causes of #stress, overcommitment, #anxiety, and #depression. Providing realistic timelines, clarifying expectations, and monitoring workload would be good places to start. However, these changes must be adopted by both companies and employees to be effective. It is easy to say, “I deserve family time,” but it is harder to say, “I won’t be able to get to that until Monday,” when clients, court dates, or bosses are looming.
Taking that time is important though because work-life conflict and working 60 plus hours/week are risk factors for #depression. Individuals must reinforce their boundaries just as much as law practices must respect and encourage them. This might require a cultural shift within law to include competition and collaboration.
It might also require reducing the #stigma surrounding #mentalhealthissues. Many #lawyers fear that admitting they are mentally struggling will have professional repercussions. This prevents them from seeking needed help. Seminars and policies that increase awareness of the risks of being overcommitted to work and overvaluing extrinsic rewards and that promote healthy coping mechanisms and intrinsic markers of success can help shift #lawyers’ workplace culture.
On the individual level, providing #lawyers with the tools they need to enhance their #stress tolerance might help them manage the inevitable stresses of a demanding profession. Mindfulness training, for example, is an evidence-based practice for improving mood, reducing #stress, and alleviating #anxiety (Neilson & Minda, 2021).
#Lawyers can also implement healthy practices such as participating in hobbies outside work, leaving work at work, and setting time aside for connection. All these habits can foster a sense of identity and self-worth outside of work. Regular social interactions with peers and loved ones are needed to feel belonging, which is associated with improved well-being (Kreiger & Sheldon, 2015).
If you or someone you love is contemplating #suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7, dial #988 for the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline, or reach out to the #CrisisTextLine by texting TALK to 741741. To find a #therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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