Tope Adebayo LP promotes Mental Health Awareness in the Legal Profession

Funke Olaode
In celebration of International Men’s Day 2024, Tope Adebayo LP, a Lagos-based law firm, has urged society to focus more on mental health awareness for men in the legal profession.

In a statement heralding the day, the firm states: “International Men’s Day (IMD), celebrated on 19th November each year, is an opportunity to recognise the contributions and challenges of men across the globe. The theme for this year’s IMD is “Men’s Health Champions” which centres on the promotion of men’s mental health, a critical issue that has often been neglected. Men face unique societal pressures that can significantly impact their emotional well-being, particularly those working in high-pressure fields like law, where balancing professional and personal demands is a common struggle.”

Further noting the need to pay attention to male lawyers’ mental health, the firm says factors like intense workloads, high expectations, and competitive atmosphere in the legal profession are compounded by traditional norms that emphasise strength, fortitude and success, thereby discouraging men from seeking help.
“Men’s mental health is often overshadowed by societal expectations that men should be resilient, unemotional, and capable of handling stress. These expectations can lead to men internalising struggles, potentially resulting in burnout, anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. Despite recent progress in reducing the stigma around mental health, men are still significantly less likely to seek therapy or counseling compared to women.
“Statistics reveal the gravity of the issue. A 2021 report indicates that men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than women. While women are more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety, men are often underdiagnosed because their emotional distress tends to manifest as anger, irritability, or risk-taking behaviors rather than sadness. This disparity highlights a gap in mental health support for men, particularly in industries where stress is a constant companion, such as law,” the statement further notes.
In the legal terrain, widely noted as a high-stress field, these issues are heightened by long working hours, high client demands, and constant pressure to perform at exceptional levels. “Lawyers frequently deal with emotionally charged cases, ethical dilemmas, and immense workloads that can lead to exhaustion and chronic stress. For many, the pressure to win cases or meet clients’ expectations comes at the expense of their mental health. Legal work often involves adversarial environments, reinforcing traditional masculine ideals of toughness and aggression. As a result, male lawyers may feel uncomfortable acknowledging struggles with anxiety, depression, or burnout, fearing it could be perceived as weakness or incompetence.
“A study by the American Bar Association (ABA) revealed alarming levels of mental health issues within the legal community. It found that 28% of lawyers reported symptoms of depression, 19% experienced symptoms of anxiety, and 11.4% of lawyers had suicidal thoughts.”
As a way out, the firm outlines flexible work policies, mental health initiatives, and remote work options which law firms, legal institutions, and individual lawyers can adopt to promote mental well-being and foster a work culture prioritising balance over burnout.
Other recommendations include reducing stigma around mental health, providing access to mental health resources, promoting healthy work environments, and normalising conversations around mental health.