What to do if you’re experiencing burnout or stress

Juggling the pressures of work and our personal lives can leave us feeling exhausted, empty or burned out. Stress at work can cause physical and mental symptoms that not only impact our own well-being, but also our relationships with family and friends.

The National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada, found that 55 per cent of BC legal professionals experience psychological distress and burnout and that less than half seek professional help. Recognizing you may need assistance is the first step to focusing on your mental health.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and looking to reduce your workload for health and personal reasons, know that you are not alone. You can learn more about the resources available to you by visiting the Lawyer Well-Being Hub or viewing the FAQs page.

For additional resources to support your mental health this month, please visit Lifespeak, a platform that offers free, easy-to-access mental health resources and supports for you and your family. The resources you will find on Lifespeak provide tips you can implement immediately to improve your mental well-being, such as:

• Need help recognizing the signs of burnout? Dr. Reena Kotecha helps identify, answer and provide strategies on how to recognize when everyday work stress has evolved to burnout.
• 85 per cent of legal professionals work closely with clients, which over time may create compassion fatigue. We encourage you to watch the six- minute video, “Compassion Fatigue vs. Burnout” featuring registered psychotherapist Janna Comrie.
• Did you know mindfulness meditation can help manage stress? Dr. Reena Kotecha shares the benefits of mindfulness meditation in the Expert Blog: Choosing a Mindfulness Meditation Practice.