Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Protecting mental health in legal practice: practical wellbeing strategies including self-awareness, connection, five ways to wellbeing, healthy habits, tackling workplace stress, and accessing support

Published by a LexisNexis In-house Advisor expert

Practice notes

Mental ill health does not pick and choose. Wealth and fame are no defence; it reaches people of every age. The myriad sports stars who have spoken frankly about depression, in particular, make clear that physical fitness is no guarantee of psychological health. It affects all ages, and physical health is no guarantor of mental health. Nevertheless, there are a number of steps we can take to try to care for ourselves—and for those around us.

Self-awareness

The first, and most vital, step is to understand mental health—what thriving feels like and the signs and symptoms that might point to problems. This is not typically taught at school. Attend training sessions if you can. Read about it. Without that grounding, you cannot promote positive wellbeing or notice when difficulties could be developing, for you or for others nearby. For further information see Practice Note: Understanding mental health and wellbeing.

That learning must be paired with self-awareness. Practise paying attention to your feelings and thoughts, recognise them for what they are and, if they seem to indicate there could be something...

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Richard Martin

Mindful Business Charter

Richard is the CEO of the Mindful Business Charter, a cross business initiative to reduce the stress we experience at work and which is a key cause of workplace mental illness. He is also a principal consultant at workplace consultancy Byrne Dean and is on the IBA Wellbeing Commission. He formerly chaired the steering committee of the Lord Mayor of London’s This is Me campaign which uses story telling to break down the stigma associated with mental illness. He is a qualified coach and mental health first aid instructor. His first career was in law, becoming a senior employment law partner before mental breakdown in 2011 left him in hospital for a month and unable to work for two years. His experience of breakdown and recovery is the subject of his memoir, This Too Will Pass – Anxiety in a...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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