NYC Bar Association to host webcast on suicide awareness for lawyers

September 23, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

A yellow ribbon representing the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. This year, National Suicide Prevention Week ran from Sept. 8-14, with World Suicide Prevention Day falling on Sept. 10. Photo: AlexBlogoodf/Adobe Stock

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The New York City Bar Association will host a webcast on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, focusing on suicide awareness and prevention, specifically tailored to the legal profession.

The program, titled “Suicide Awareness and Prevention: What Every Lawyer Should Know,” will run from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and will be live-streamed. It is designed to provide critical information on suicide risk factors, warning signs, and strategies for prevention, emphasizing the unique mental health challenges faced by lawyers, law students and judges.

The event will feature Christopher Tafone, vice president and associate general counsel at Corebridge Financial, Inc., and Eileen Travis, executive director of the New York City Bar Lawyer Assistance Program.

These speakers will cover the scope of the suicide problem within the legal community, offering insights into the personal and professional factors that contribute to increased suicide risk and discussing the steps that can be taken to protect mental and physical health.

Suicide prevention and mental health awareness will take center stage at an upcoming NYC Bar Association webcast tailored for legal professionals. Seen here: NYC Bar Association headquarters. Wikimedia photo by epicgenius

This webcast is especially important for legal professionals due to the alarming rates of mental health issues in the field. Studies have shown that lawyers experience significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicidal ideation compared to the general population.

According to a nationwide study, around 10 to 12% of lawyers in the United States have contemplated suicide, a rate far exceeding the 4.2% found in the general adult population. The combination of long hours, high-stakes work and constant pressure to meet client demands places a unique strain on mental health.

Furthermore, lawyers often struggle with a culture that discourages vulnerability, making it difficult to seek help when needed.

Lawyers are prone to stress, burnout and feelings of isolation. These risk factors can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions, making suicide prevention an urgent issue within the profession. Recent research indicates that high levels of work overcommitment, loneliness and perceived stress are major contributors to suicidal ideation among lawyers.

Male lawyers, in particular, are shown to be at greater risk for suicide, despite evidence that women in the profession often face higher levels of stress and work-family conflict.

The webcast will also address how to recognize warning signs of suicide in oneself or colleagues and how to intervene effectively. This includes knowing what to say and what not to say, how to reach out, and when to seek professional help.

The City Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program provides essential support to legal professionals grappling with mental health issues or substance abuse, offering confidential services for lawyers, law students, judges and their families.

Given the unique pressures of the legal profession, this program aims to provide not only awareness but also practical tools and resources that can help individuals manage stress and mental health challenges more effectively. The hope is that increasing awareness and education will lead to greater support for lawyers at risk, helping to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health concerns.