The first comprehensive study of the mental wellness of Canadian lawyers paints an alarming picture of the profession, with high rates of psychological distress, depression, anxiety, burnout and thoughts of suicide affecting practitioners across the country.

Almost 60% of the respondents to The National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada reported experiencing psychological distress and burnout. Those rates are even higher for professionals living with a disability, those in the early years of practice, legal professionals identifying as members of LGBTQ2S+ community, and women.