In 2025, the legal sector mental health charity LawCare supported 753 people – more than any previous year, including during the pandemic.
The charity’s online chat function – which is offered alongside a telephone helpline – also saw an increase in users, up 13% on the previous year.
“The need for trusted, accessible and sector-specific support has never been greater,” said LawCare’s CEO Elizabeth Rimmer.
“There is no doubt that these are uncertain and demanding times, which we see reflected in the experiences of those turning to us for emotional support.
“The current geopolitical climate is contributing to increased regulatory complexity and economic pressures. The acceleration of the adoption of AI is raising questions about the role of lawyers and the guard rails needed to ensure trust, quality and sustainability as this technology becomes more embedded in legal practice.
“At the same time, managers are under increasing pressure to meet the evolving expectations of colleagues, clients and regulators, often with little support for themselves.”
LawCare offers frontline emotional support for anyone in the legal sector dealing with the pressure of life in the law, along with evidence-based insight and practical resources for individuals and organisations.
Feedback gathered by the charity revealed a marked improvement in how individuals felt after receiving help. When asked to rate their feelings on a scale of one to 10, with one being negative and 10 positive, respondents reported an average of 2.22 before contacting LawCare.
Immediately after contacting LawCare, the score rose to 6.04, and increased to 7.42 when asked three months later. When asked how well those accessing support felt listened to and understood, the average score was 9.11.
“Behind every figure is a person who accessed confidential support, and this feedback shows the real difference that timely, trusted help can make to mental health and wellbeing across the legal sector,” LawCare said.
As well as telephone and online helplines, LawCare offers peer support from volunteers who have first-hand experience of working in law. Peer supporters offer support, encouragement and mentoring on a range of issues including alcohol addiction, stress and anxiety. In 2025, 73 people received ongoing support from LawCare’s peer supporters.
“The challenges facing the sector are not going away,” LawCare said.
“Creating a sustainable legal sector requires collective commitment and action, from legal educators equipping aspiring lawyers with the tools they need for a healthy career, to workplaces embedding working practices that support mental wellbeing, and professional bodies leading the way in championing why mental health matters in law.”
The LawCare telephone helpline offers free, confidential support from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm – call 0800 279 6888. Resources for individuals and organisations, including free webinars and training, can be found on the website at lawcare.org.uk
