News Post

A newly published national study offers an updated and expanded look at mental health, burnout, alcohol use and workplace pressures within the legal profession.

The study, When Demands Equal Distress: An Updated Understanding of Lawyer Mental Health and Well-Being, was conducted by the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and Krill Strategies. It updates a widely cited 2016 study and is based on responses from approximately 37,000 actively licensed lawyers across 28 participating jurisdictions. Alabama attorneys were among those who participated.

The national findings show that a significant portion of the legal profession continues to experience psychological distress and occupational strain. Nearly half of respondents—47.4%—screened positive for high burnout, including 15.6% who met the threshold for severe burnout.

Approximately one in five respondents met the thresholds for moderate-to-extremely severe symptoms in each of three areas:

• Depression: 21.7%
• Anxiety: 20.4%
• Stress: 18.9%

Compared with the 2016 study, the percentage of lawyers reporting at least mild symptoms increased in all three categories. Mild-or-higher depression increased from 28% to 32.7%, anxiety increased from 19% to 26.9%, and stress increased from 23% to 30.2%.

The study also found:

• 41.1% said practicing law had been detrimental to their mental health.
• 35.9% reported high or very high conflict between their professional and personal lives.
• 27% had considered leaving the profession because of mental health concerns, burnout or stress.
• 57% had observed mental health or substance-use concerns among colleagues.
• 31% had encountered a legal professional during the previous year whose well-being raised concerns about fitness to practice.
• Only 39.1% believed their employers were doing enough to support lawyer well-being.
• Only 25.3% believed the profession was doing enough.
• 81% said the profession should devote greater effort to reducing mental health and substance-use problems.

Work demands emerged as an important factor. Lawyers working 71 or more hours per week experienced substantially higher levels of stress and burnout than those working approximately 40 hours. Litigation practice was also associated with greater risks of burnout, depression, anxiety and stress.

Although hazardous drinking declined by approximately 10 percentage points from the 2016 benchmark, alcohol-related risk remained elevated. More than 41% screened positive for risky drinking under standard clinical thresholds, while only 2.3% reported a current alcohol-use disorder diagnosis. The researchers identified a substantial gap between those screening at risk and those reporting a diagnosis. The national findings and study methodology are summarized by the research sponsors.

Support for Alabama’s Legal Community

The Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program provides free and confidential assistance to Alabama lawyers, judges and law students experiencing mental health concerns, substance use, stress, burnout, cognitive impairment or other challenges.

Since its establishment in 2000, ALAP has confidentially assisted more than 1,000 members of Alabama’s legal community. Its services include assessments, referrals, peer support, mentoring, education and connections with qualified treatment providers. Participation is confidential and is not disclosed to other departments of the Alabama State Bar.

To speak with someone, call (334) 517-2216. Additional information is available on the Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program webpage.

Read the full national study.