The Atlanta Lawyer October/November 2019 | Page 30

F or a profession of self-proclaimed wordsmiths, “wellness” can be a difficult word for attorneys to define. Some take it as mental wellbeing, some consider it to mean physical health, and others consider “wellness” as an aspirational mindset that they will never achieve. None of these definitions are incorrect but they all lack context when referring to the legal profession. We have all seen the email campaigns, heard the buzzwords, and seen the statistics from various studies - but do we actually pay attention? The American Bar Association estimates that 18 percent of all U.S. lawyers suffer from a drinking problem - this is double the national average. The individualistic nature of the profession is a large contributor, as is imposter syndrome for many younger lawyers. This culture is also emboldened by the adversarial format of litigation, the constant risk assessment, and the underlying national mental health epidemic. State and local bar associations across the country have been searching for solutions to the crisis but lawyers are still not seeking the help they need. Lawyers and professionals in high stress jobs must realize that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. We must all understand well-being is not only important, but necessary is regard to our duty of competence. Like our focus on continued learning and growth, we must all focus on well-being and changing the cultural 30 October/November 2019 Wellness In Practice MATTHEW J. HOLLINGSWORTH Partner | Ashenden & Associates PC [email protected] outlook towards mental health. Lawyers often see being busy as a badge of honor. In my practice I regularly hear lawyers saying that they are “always putting out fires” or “just keeping their heads above water.” I hear lawyers talk about not taking vacations for years or not seeing their family because of late nights and weekends. These are all warning signs we must acknowledge within ourselves. We must realize that this behavior, while seemingly necessary, leads to long-term effects on our mental and physical health. After acknowledging these problems, we must work together to develop a “tool-kit” to help prevent burnout and help recover from it. Working with others and with local bar association groups can help us all develop skills to minimize stress and build hope.