RismadarVoice Reporters
September 11, 2026
A new national survey has revealed that a significant number of lawyers in the United States believe the legal profession has negatively affected their mental health, with 41 per cent saying their careers have been detrimental to their overall wellbeing.
The study, published by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and mental health research firm Krill Strategies, found high levels of anxiety, stress, depression, burnout and alcohol-related challenges among legal professionals.
According to the research, which gathered responses from more than 37,000 lawyers, nearly 22 per cent reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, while more than 20 per cent experienced significant anxiety and about 19 per cent reported severe stress levels.
The survey also showed that about 42 per cent of lawyers tested positive for hazardous drinking, with 26 per cent recording higher levels of alcohol use.
Researchers said efforts by law firms, professional bodies and employers over the past decade to improve lawyers’ mental health have not produced enough progress, with younger lawyers facing greater challenges due to workplace pressure, limited support and educational debt.
Mental health difficulties varied across areas of practice, with private practitioners and litigation lawyers reporting higher levels of stress and burnout compared with lawyers working in corporate legal departments or judicial chambers.
The study found that long working hours were a major risk factor, with lawyers working more than 71 hours weekly being about three times more likely to experience moderate to severe stress than those working between 31 and 40 hours per week.
Concerns over confidentiality and possible damage to professional reputation were identified as major reasons many lawyers avoid seeking mental health support.
Despite the challenges, the US legal sector recorded continued employment growth, reaching a record 1.24 million jobs in August, including lawyers, judges, paralegals and legal assistants.
The researchers said improving workplace culture and reducing barriers to accessing mental health services would be critical to addressing the growing concerns within the legal profession.
