Isolation, Depression, and Anxiety

We’ve all heard the warnings about chronic smoking and the impact it can have on your physical health. However, not as many people realize that isolation can be more harmful.

According to research in the last couple of years, isolation is worse for your physical and mental health than smoking. Specifically, a 2023 report from the Surgeon General suggested that it could be worse than smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Combine this with a recent WSJ article reporting that more and more people are having their work life bleed into their home life, and you have a recipe for worsening mental health conditions.

While this is true regardless of the profession, the legal profession is facing these realities while already dealing with mental health challenges that are above average compared to the general public. This is why it is so important that if you are struggling, or if you know someone who is, you reach out. Building connections and a support network, whether through friends, family, or peer support, will go a long way towards combating these challenges.

While it is true that peer support specialists are not your friend, their trauma-informed approach can be a crucial safety net while also helping participants develop tools for building social networks that are made up of friends and family. So if you are struggling with a mental health condition, or if you know of someone who could benefit from peer support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for support. No one has to face mental health challenges. Also, know that if you need support outside of our normal hours, or if a peer support session isn’t immediately available, you can always call 988 to receive support 24/7.