Lawyers and Mental Health: By the Numbers

Lawyers are more likely than other professionals or the general public to be living with mental health conditions or substance abuse. Specifically, a 2026 study by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and Krill Strategies found that:

  • 47.4% of respondents reported high or very high burnout;

  • 21.6% of respondents reported moderate or high rates of depression;

  • 20.4% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety;

  • 18.9% of respondents reported symptoms of signficant stress;

  • 35.9% of respondents reported a conflict with their work-life balance;

  • 53.3% of respondents reported that confidentiality is a key barrier to seeking help;

  • 49.2% of respondents reported that concerns about their career were a barrier to seeking help; and

  • 81% of respondents want the legal profession to do more.

    Source:

    When Demands Equal Distress: An Updated Understanding of Lawyer Mental Health and Well-being; published in the Journal of Affective Disorders on Sept. 9, 2026 (open-access).