The conversation about men’s mental health in the legal profession has always carried a heavy weight.
Myself and a group of solicitors of all ages and backgrounds have set up a wellbeing group to help men in the profession navigate the pressures that our careers sometimes present.
It is no secret that the legal profession can be a stressful environment. Constant competition, long hours and pressure to meet targets/ deadlines. Add to the mix, men being reluctant to talk about their mental health, this can sometimes lead to concerning mental health struggles.
This Group can be anything that you want it to be. It is a safe space for you to discuss issues around a chosen topic in a supportive environment with your professional peers.
The group will be an opportunity for us to share experiences and strategies that have helped us overcome particularly challenging periods during our careers.
Discussing a topic with a group of your male peers will generate a conversation with those of you who will undoubtedly have experienced similar issues.
We will remove the stigma that surrounds mental health in our profession.
The group will meet once per month online over lunch and this will be an informal space for you to feel free to contribute to the discussion or simply be part of something that you can relate to as a man in the legal profession. The first meeting took place online Friday, 26th January 2024. Meetings will take place on the last Friday of the month, online (on Teams) from 1pm to 2pm.
We are really excited about where we can take this initiative and the positive message that the group will promote.
Please join us.
Get involved: There is no set agenda to these meetings and no information will be shared. Put simply, it is a safe place to talk. You can register and attend however many meetings as you like. It is entirely up to you.
To find out more or to sign up, please email legalmenswellbeing8@gmail.com
Please additionally share with your network.
Many thanks
Nick O’Neill
Chambers Director
Oriel Chambers