Lifting the veil of secrecy – depression in our profession
The Women’s Consultative Group is investigating the effect of stress and resulting depressive disorders within the legal profession.
With daily media reports about the recession and job redundancies, many are feeling the effects of increased stress coupled with job insecurity. Some firms are retrenching by making some staff redundant or considering a four-day week.
In contrast, for some practitioners, levels of work have increased markedly, causing more stress; for instance, in the criminal, employment and family law areas.
Without question, as legal practitioners, we operate under immense stress, on a daily basis. And while other professions have mandatory annual health and psychological fitness checks, we are likely to spend more time getting a warrant of fitness for our car than having our personal psychological fitness assessed. After all who has the time to be that indulgent!
Client demands, budgetary expectations and the drive to engage new clients, are daily challenges for most of us. Time for personal health issues is rare and, for many, largely non-existent. A work/life balance is a concept many of us pay lip service to, perceiving the same as little more than a PC mantra. After all, we are used to working 12-hour days, 6-7 days a week, aren’t we? We thrive on stress, and the adrenaline rush of daily practice, don’t we? But do we fare as well as we like to think? And what impact might the current recession be having on employers and employees alike?
If one considers the demands inflicted by difficult and, at times, unreasonable expectations from clients; tight and often unreasonable deadlines; cash flow, or lack thereof; and the multitude of curve balls thrown our way on a daily basis, then we have a simmering cocktail of pressure building. A consequence such as a serious health issue would seem inevitable.
Stress-related conditions manifest themselves over time in physical ill health, emotional ill health (more serious stress-related conditions such as depression) or inappropriate emotional reactions (losing one’s temper more frequently with colleagues, spouses or children). These are inevitable consequences. The domino effect inevitably carries from the workplace into home life, with relationships likely to come under increased pressure, affecting most, if not all, aspects of our daily lives.
What is depression?
As a general rule of thumb, if a person has been labouring under extreme stress and exhibiting five (or more) of the following symptoms, continuously for a period in excess of a week, further specialist medical intervention is recommended. Common symptoms are:
- feeling sad, grumpy or miserable most of the time
- feeling restless, or lacking in energy
- crying or getting angry or upset for no reason
- losing interest in things that you used to enjoy, or people that you used to socialise with
- cutting yourself off from family and friends
- feeling worthless or guilty about things that are not your fault
- having trouble concentrating, or forgetting things
- losing weight, or gaining weight
- sleeping issues, either not being able to sleep or wanting to sleep more than usual
- procrastination, to the point of being inert
- diminished ability to think, concentrate or make appropriate decisions
- thoughts of death or suicide, whether that extends to being with, or without, a plan to effect the same.
The consequences of depression can be serious. A depressed person can put on a reasonably good face in the workplace but concealment of important matters, essential to the efficient workplace, may be relevant triggers. These might include missing deadlines, increased client complaints or increased addiction to alcohol, drugs and gambling, which might further affect a practitioner’s ability to work competently. Clients’ funds may be in jeopardy, if matters reach that degree of concern.
What can you do about someone you consider is depressed?
- Support the person, without question.
- Talk to them, using appropriate eye contact, with a relaxed stance.
- Make sure the time and place for a meeting is private; use active listening, rather than talking (ie, be understanding).
- Ask open-ended questions, staying calm, but being firm, fair and consistent.
- Recommend they see a health professional. Some firms may be able to assist by booking an appointment, attending with a staff member if support is desired, and paying for those costs.
- If a person makes an appointment, check how it went.
- Find out about depression, and talk openly about it. Do not avoid the subject.
- Encourage the staff member to undertake social activities.
- Encourage the staff member to exercise and eat well.
- Maintain daily contact.
- Encourage other close friends or family members to adapt a similar supportive approach.
What are the worst things to do?
- Avoiding the issue.
- Telling the staff member to snap out of it, or to harden up, or to get their act together.
- Telling them to stay busy.
- Assuming the problem will go away.
- Encouraging them to use alcohol or drugs to obliterate the issue.
The WCG wants your feedback
The Women’s Consultative Group wants feedback from members of the profession, to ascertain:
- how many people have, or are currently suffering from, a depressive disorder
- how that affects their ability to practise on a day-to-day basis
- what supports might be offered within the firm they work for
- suggestions as to how the law society (at branch or national level) could assist members of the profession to be supported and obtain the appropriate help needed
- what help would have been welcome, had you known where to turn to.
This is a serious issue, as recent self-inflicted deaths of well-respected members of the profession have shown. Depression is an illness. We need to confront and address this issue, in the interests of our profession at large.
Any response from practitioners will be treated in the strictest confidence. You are welcome to comment anonymously if you wish. A separate email has been set up for feedback at depression@lawsociety.org.nz. Note, however, that this is simply an information-gathering exercise at this stage. For access to free information, help and counselling, see www.depression.org.nz.
The Women’s Consultative Group needs your feedback in the interests of member assistance and support. And remember, collectively we can make a difference. There is no need to struggle alone. It’s time to lift the veil of secrecy and confront this very real issue, in the interests of our profession.
LawTalk 732, 29 June 2009