A listening ear

LawCare’s Andrew Darnton and Sarah Fitsell take a look at the role of mental health allies in the legal sector and how those offering support and understanding can make a significant difference in the workplace and the wider legal profession

Whether you're in a leadership position or just starting your career, in today’s fast-paced and high-pressure legal sector, the role of a mental health ally has never been more crucial.

What is a mental health ally?

An ally is someone who actively learns more about, supports and advocates for colleagues who belong to marginalised or under-represented groups. Allies stand up against stigma, promote diversity and inclusion, and push for culture change.

As a mental health ally, you will be helping your colleagues and contributing to a healthier, more supportive and ultimately more effective legal sector. Put simply, it’s about everyone creating a space where people and organisations can thrive.

Who can be a mental health ally?

Anyone can be a mental health ally, and it often only takes one person to transform the culture of a business. Partners, supervisors and other respected colleagues can lead by example, sharing their own experiences and empowering all members of the team.

Too often, however, we hear that it is those in managerial roles who are most reluctant to challenge the status quo. When it comes to calling out inappropriate practices at work, there is often a culture of ‘not making a fuss’, which only serves to normalise the behaviour.

“It falls on everyone, whatever their role, to create a psychologically safe working environment” 

It has been suggested that Generation Z is most open to talking about mental health and that this younger age group is not prepared to put up with environments where they don’t feel supported.

Given this generation is expected to account for 27% of the global workforce by 2025, their status as allies should not be underestimated. By not listening to these concerns, organisations risk failing to attract and retain the best talent, losing people to competitors or from the legal sector altogether.

It falls on everyone, whatever their role, to create a psychologically safe working environment. Inspired by the words of Greta Thunberg, no one is too small (or too big) to make a difference.

Why be a mental health ally?

The legal sector desperately needs mental health allies because of the pressures and challenges faced by people working in this field. The profession is known for its high-stress environment, long working hours, the competitive nature of the work and the emotional toll of handling complex, often distressing cases.

Here are a few reasons you should consider being a mental health ally:

• Mental health still carries a significant stigma, and many people don’t feel able to be open and honest at work. Being a mental health ally helps to break down these barriers, encourages open discussions about mental health and promotes a culture where seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength, not weakness;
• People often feel isolated in their mental health struggles due to the fear of being perceived as incapable or unprofessional. As an ally, you can provide essential support to your colleagues by offering a listening ear, understanding, and creating a supportive community within the workplace;
• An environment that values mental health is inherently more inclusive. Effective allyship helps to attract and retain a broader spectrum of talent and creates a more diverse and inclusive legal sector where all members have the opportunity to succeed;
• Being a mental health ally also offers opportunities for your own personal growth. It fosters empathy, improves communication skills and enhances your understanding of mental health; and
• On a larger scale, it can significantly enhance productivity, engagement and job satisfaction. By advocating for change, you can influence policy reforms and foster a deeper understanding of mental health across the legal community.

Through LawCare’s helpline, we often hear stories about allies having a positive impact on workplace culture. For example, inappropriate comments are often brushed off as ‘banter’, particularly in a social context, so where allies challenge this kind of discriminatory and unacceptable behaviour, it can be very powerful.

LawCare supports callers who are worried about someone else, be that a colleague they work closely with, a family member or another member of staff. It can feel difficult talking to someone you are concerned about and you may feel anxious about starting a conversation. But taking just a few minutes to talk could make a real difference to that person.

You don’t have to be a lawyer to contact LawCare for support. Organisations couldn’t function without an effective and healthy business operations team, so whether you work in HR or IT, as a secretary, on reception or in business services, you are part of the UK legal sector, and we are here for you too.

Start by making small changes

You don’t have to have it all figured out from the outset. Allies can start by making small changes which all add up to make a big difference. Here are some suggestions:

• Better understand mental health by listening and learning. Take the time to listen to the experiences, challenges and needs of people who have struggled with their mental health. You could also educate yourself about different mental health conditions, their symptoms and the various challenges that colleagues might be facing. Mental health first aid training can be a good place to start;
• Regularly check in on colleagues. A simple text or call can make a significant impact;
• Use your voice to challenge discriminatory remarks, behaviours and policies at work and in your personal life, even when it’s uncomfortable. This is crucial for those in leadership positions, who are best placed to set an example;
• Use your position to advocate for policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion; and
• Continuously reflect on your actions and attitudes, accept feedback and be willing to change and grow.

We urgently need more mental health allies within the legal sector. Whether leading by example, offering a listening ear or championing a change of policy at work, every action taken contributes to a healthier, more vibrant legal community. Being an ally is an ongoing process of learning, listening, acting and reflecting. It requires a commitment to challenging injustices and contributing to a world where everyone feels valued and included.

Andrew Darnton is a support and volunteer coordinator and Sarah Fitsell is communications manager at LawCare.

You can contact LawCare for support on 0800 279 6888, support@lawcare.org.uk or by visiting LawCare’s website to use the live online chat. You can also find information (articles, stories, videos, blogs and podcasts) on mental health and wellbeing.