By: Kendra Brodin, Esq., MSW, LCL Board Member
The first full week of October is recognized nationally as Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 5-11) and October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, important reminders that mental health is a concern not just for individuals, but for communities and professions everywhere.
For many in the legal community, these observances can stir up a mix of reactions – curiosity, unease, relief, maybe even resistance. That’s understandable. Lawyering often asks us to show up as problem-solvers, steady under pressure, and seemingly invincible. But behind the polished image, many attorneys quietly carry the weight of stress, anxiety, depression, or burnout.
Mental Health Awareness Month gives us a chance to shine a light on that reality. It’s not about singling out lawyers as especially fragile; it’s about acknowledging the very real pressures of our profession. Long hours, client demands, high stakes, and a culture that prizes perfection can combine into a recipe for distress. National studies consistently show that lawyers experience mental health challenges at higher rates than the general population, and Minnesota lawyers are not immune.
The good news is that awareness is growing. More firms, law schools, and bar associations are naming the importance of well-being and offering resources. Conversations that once felt taboo are starting to happen in the open. When we admit that struggle is part of the human experience – even for high-achieving attorneys – we begin to replace stigma with understanding, and isolation with connection.
Still, awareness is only the beginning. This month is an invitation to action. For some, action means taking the courageous step of reaching out for confidential help. For others, it may mean checking in on a colleague with a gentle, “How are you, really?” It may look like attending a CLE on lawyer well-being or simply pausing in a hectic day to breathe, rest, and notice how you’re doing. Small steps add up, and they send a powerful message: we value mental health as much as professional success.
That’s where Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) comes in. For decades, LCL has been a trusted, confidential resource for Minnesota’s lawyers, judges, legal professionals, law students, and their families. Whether you’re facing stress, depression, anxiety, substance use, or the daily strain of practice, help is available – without stigma, without judgment, and at no cost. LCL also provides education, peer support, and resources for firms and organizations committed to building healthier workplaces.
This October, as we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month across the nation and right here in Minnesota, let’s make space for reflection and recommitment. Reflect on how you’re doing – not just professionally, but personally. Recommit to reaching out if you need support, and to offering a listening ear if someone else does. Together, we can help create a legal culture where well-being isn’t an afterthought; it’s a foundation.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out can make all the difference. That’s what LCL is here for. You don’t have to carry this on your own.