As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches, LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector, explains how small changes can make a big difference when it comes to dealing with the pressures of legal life.
This Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May) is a reminder that we need to keep talking about mental health, and back that up by taking action, even in small ways.
In the legal sector, that really matters. Long hours, heavy workloads and constant pressure can make it hard to step back, even when you need to. Our Life in the Law 2025 research shows many people are struggling, with some even thinking about leaving their roles or the profession altogether.
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is simple: take action for yourself, for someone else, and for all of us.
That doesn’t mean big changes overnight. It’s about simple things you can build into your day. So why not pick one or two actions this week and give them a try?
Start with something simple
Most of us know what helps with our mental health, but when life is busy and stressful, it’s not always easy to put that into practice.
The key is to keep it simple. You don’t need to do everything at once. If you’d like some inspiration for something you could do today, we’ve got a few suggestions:
- Take a proper lunch break, even just a short walk outside.
- Get some movement in, whatever that looks like for you.
- Try to finish work at a reasonable time and get some rest tonight.
- Eat something nutritious today, not just whatever’s quickest.
- If something’s on your mind, share it with someone. You don’t have to deal with things alone. Talk to a friend or colleague, or call LawCare for a chat with someone who understands the pressures of the legal sector.
Looking for something a bit more extensive? Here are a few more actions you could take this month to look after your mental health and feel better:
- Make sure you take your annual leave. Not just booking it but actually taking time away from work. Once you’re on leave, try to set some boundaries and resist the urge to check in “just in case”.
- Switch off your tech. If you’re working at home, make sure your laptop gets put away and you switch your phone off at the end of the day.
- Have a look at mindfulness, as it can help manage stress and can be easily incorporated into daily life. Read Jo’s story here if you need a bit of a inspiration: From burnout to balance: my mindfulness story
- Get enough sleep. Long hours and late-night working can quickly take their toll, but consistent sleep is one of the most effective ways to support your mental health. We’ve got some tips here: Sleep
Don’t underestimate a simple check-in
Supporting mental health isn’t just about what we do for ourselves. It’s also about how we can help others.
In a busy working environment, it’s easy to assume people are fine. But that’s not always the case. Taking a moment to check in can make someone feel seen and supported.
If you’re worried about someone, ask how they are. It sounds simple, but it matters. A quick “how are you?” or “do you want to grab a coffee?” can open the door to a conversation.
You don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. Often, the most helpful action you can do is listen. Give someone your attention, without interrupting or trying to fix things straight away. We’ve got more about this on the LawCare website: worried about someone else?
If you manage others, this is even more important. Regular check-ins shouldn’t be the first thing to drop when workloads increase. They are often the thing that helps people stay on track.
Changing how we work
We recognise that mental health isn’t just about individuals, it’s shaped by how work is organised and managed across their organisation and the wider sector.
Our Life in the Law 2025 report highlights the importance of creating a more sustainable way of working. That means thinking about workloads, how people are managed, and what is expected day to day.
It also means recognising that mental health is not a “nice to have”. It’s essential for retention, performance and long-term careers in law.
Organisations have a role to play here. That could mean:
- Managing workloads more realistically.
- Giving managers the time and training they need.
- Creating space for open conversations.
- Reviewing whether existing support is actually working.
A useful question to ask is: what is one change we could make that would improve how people feel at work? It doesn’t have to be a big action. Often, small practical changes can make a huge difference.
Start today
Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to pause and reflect, but more importantly, it’s a chance to act.
You don’t have to do everything, and you don’t have to get it right straight away.
Start small:
- Take one small action for yourself.
- Check in with someone else.
- Think about one thing that could change where you work.
Start small, keep going, and don’t underestimate the impact of those everyday actions.
