Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers
A Utah State Bar Approved Lawyer Assistance Program
Depression
Utah Lawyers
Helping Lawyers
10 West Broadway
Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UTÂ
84101
(801) 579 - 0404
(800) 530 - 3743
(801) 579 - 0077
admin@lawyers
helpinglawyers.org
Depression is real and negatively impacts the emotional and physical well being of lawyers as well as their work and personal lives. Depression ranges from a relatively mild lessening of enjoyment of life to a serious, life threatening illness.
Possible Causes of Depression
Some of Which May Be Particular to Lawyers
The law is an intellectually challenging profession in which to practice but is also challenging in terms of the number of hours which are worked; some unpleasant aspects of adversity between litigating parties and counsel; and the competition between lawyers for business where there is a large number of lawyers in proportion to the population and to the economy. The foregoing challenges increase the need for lawyers to practice positive methods for coping with stress and for increasing resilience to depression.
The present poor economy further increases the stress which lawyers face as well as their susceptibility to depression.
Personality characteristics which are common to lawyers as a group may further negatively impact the ability of members of the profession to deal with stress or depression. The people who choose to become lawyers are as a group more likely to be both perfectionists and pessimists than are members of the population in general. Perfectionism and pessimism serve lawyers well in encouraging them to be detail oriented and cautious, both of which are admirable qualities in lawyers. However, untrammeled perfectionism and pessimism may lead lawyers to set unobtainable expectations of themselves. Lawyers who do not feel that they have lived up to their own unrealistic expectations are more at risk to develop depression. For more information on this and similar topics, please see the Utah Bar Journal August 2003 issue.
Lawyers Should Practice
Positive Skills for Coping with Stress
Including Developing Their Hardiness to Stress
The law can be a rewarding career which it is hoped provides intellectual stimulation; the ability to make a difference in people's lives; meaning and purpose; and a comfortable living. Many people practice law and live purpose - driven, meaningful lives. Lawyers who are depressed should seek treatment; avail themselves of a supportive network of family members or friends; make healthy nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices; practice positive stress management techniques; and develop stress hardiness. Stress hardiness refers to the ability to weather positively stress which is inherent to the human existence. With practice, people may increase their stress hardiness. Stress hardiness is discussed more on the page of this LHL website which is labeled "Stress."
Depression Is Eminently Treatable;
Those who are Depressed Should Seek Help
Utah State Bar members pay through their dues for two lawyer assistance program benefit providers, Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers, which provides volunteer peer mentoring, and Blomquist Hale Consulting, which is staffed by professional counselors. USB members may consult at no additional cost either LHL or BHC, or both organizations, as their services are different and complementary. If at any time, you feel that you are in danger of harming yourself or someone else, please dial 911.
Resources
Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers
Blomquist Hale Consulting
Utah Department of Human Services
Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health
American Bar Association
Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs
National Institute of Mental Health
Possible Causes of Depression
Some of Which May Be Particular to Lawyers
The law is an intellectually challenging profession in which to practice but is also challenging in terms of the number of hours which are worked; some unpleasant aspects of adversity between litigating parties and counsel; and the competition between lawyers for business where there is a large number of lawyers in proportion to the population and to the economy. The foregoing challenges increase the need for lawyers to practice positive methods for coping with stress and for increasing resilience to depression.
The present poor economy further increases the stress which lawyers face as well as their susceptibility to depression.
Personality characteristics which are common to lawyers as a group may further negatively impact the ability of members of the profession to deal with stress or depression. The people who choose to become lawyers are as a group more likely to be both perfectionists and pessimists than are members of the population in general. Perfectionism and pessimism serve lawyers well in encouraging them to be detail oriented and cautious, both of which are admirable qualities in lawyers. However, untrammeled perfectionism and pessimism may lead lawyers to set unobtainable expectations of themselves. Lawyers who do not feel that they have lived up to their own unrealistic expectations are more at risk to develop depression. For more information on this and similar topics, please see the Utah Bar Journal August 2003 issue.
Lawyers Should Practice
Positive Skills for Coping with Stress
Including Developing Their Hardiness to Stress
The law can be a rewarding career which it is hoped provides intellectual stimulation; the ability to make a difference in people's lives; meaning and purpose; and a comfortable living. Many people practice law and live purpose - driven, meaningful lives. Lawyers who are depressed should seek treatment; avail themselves of a supportive network of family members or friends; make healthy nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices; practice positive stress management techniques; and develop stress hardiness. Stress hardiness refers to the ability to weather positively stress which is inherent to the human existence. With practice, people may increase their stress hardiness. Stress hardiness is discussed more on the page of this LHL website which is labeled "Stress."
Depression Is Eminently Treatable;
Those who are Depressed Should Seek Help
Utah State Bar members pay through their dues for two lawyer assistance program benefit providers, Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers, which provides volunteer peer mentoring, and Blomquist Hale Consulting, which is staffed by professional counselors. USB members may consult at no additional cost either LHL or BHC, or both organizations, as their services are different and complementary. If at any time, you feel that you are in danger of harming yourself or someone else, please dial 911.
Resources
Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers
Blomquist Hale Consulting
Utah Department of Human Services
Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health
American Bar Association
Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs
National Institute of Mental Health
