stigma in the legal profession

Many lawyers at a lawyers’ wellbeing conference would likely agree with the proposition of a keynote speaker that lawyers have a problem with alcohol abuse. How many would actually feel safe enough to stand up and say in front of the others “I’m a lawyer, and I have a drinking problem”?

There is significant stigma in our profession which prevents us from being this honest and vulnerable. Stigma about substance abuse. Stigma about mental illness. Stigma about being considered weak. I believe that our training and professional culture leads to a further, more oppressive stigma: a stigma in owning that I am a human first, and a lawyer second. Under the veneer of objectivity and rationality we are all actually highly subjective, emotional and vulnerable beings.

I hope that as a profession we make significant headway on reducing stigma in our profession. In the meantime, it is essential to create safe spaces where lawyers can step out of their usual operational zone. This operational zone provides some measure of safety as it allows lawyers to avoid the stigma of having to admit that they are not okay; that they are struggling; that they feel hopeless and helpless. On the other hand, remaining in this zone is also dangerous as it perpetuates and normalises the repression of our emotional lives and vulnerabilities. When these emotions can no longer be suppressed and contained, they explode out in ways which can be damaging to us and everyone in our vicinity.

The task, therefore, is to create safe spaces where lawyers can talk about their lived experience and be supported to heal and develop resilience. This is the type of space I seek to offer my clients as a coach. I am dedicated to creating safe spaces where my clients can be supported to recognise where they are within themselves, re-engage with their sense of purpose and develop personal resilience in order to flourish personally and professionally.