We need to talk about depression — and more importantly, how we talk about depression
When my brother told me that he and his partner were going to have their first child, I was over the moon, congratulated him and assured him it was the best thing he would ever do. He was very grateful for that, especially how positive I was, and noted, “Everybody else has basically told me I’ve ruined my life!”
That is often a stereotypical sort of reaction to the news of impending parenthood, perhaps meant humorously, but the words are not without impact. The way we talk about things matters.
If you have been in the legal profession for more than 5 minutes, chances are you have heard a discussion about depression, anxiety and related topics; probably also heard some mention of wellbeing in there, too.
There’s good reason for that — the legal profession has a bad record on this issue, being more afflicted by depression than most, and a little more susceptible to suicide as well. The reasons for that are still the subject of speculation, and while some factors seem fairly clear, our preventive options are very much incomplete at this stage.
One of those measures is the reason for all the talk. We know that de-stigmatising depression is a great way of addressing it. Those afflicted are more likely to seek help if they know they will be taken seriously, won’t be mocked and have the support of their peers and employers.
The problem is that when talking about depression and anxiety, we can sometimes just assume that they are part and parcel of a legal career, a fait accompli, and there is nothing we can do about the problem. This can make matters much, much worse.
I am not saying that you can talk a person into (or for that matter, out of) depression — it is far too complex for that. We can, however, create the impression that there is nothing that can be done; we can establish an atmosphere of hopelessness, which for those afflicted can be disastrous.
Treating poor mental health as the inevitable consequence of being a lawyer can deter people from seeking treatment. After all, why bother if this is the way everybody is feeling? Why seek help if there is none to be had? Perfectly healthy lawyers could end up demotivated and down, even if not actually suffering from depression, if we try to talk them into it.
We need to ensure that the conversation occurs in the right way. That it notes that most lawyers never suffer from depression; that if they do suspect they are depressed or stressed, there is plenty of help available — and that the outcomes for those who do seek help are overwhelmingly good.
Even more important, we need to let people know that they can be taught skills to proactively look after themselves, and to avoid sliding down the mental health scale towards a mood disorder or other issue. It is imperative we identify strategies for employers and employees that can reduce risks and promote healthy, thriving workplaces — and hope.
Yes, we need to talk about depression, but let’s talk about it as something that might happen, and that is treatable if it does. Let’s emphasise that employers and colleagues will be understanding and supportive, and that it is neither the end of their career nor the world. We need to talk about the Black Dog, not whistle for it.
NB: QLS members, their staff and their families can access personal support and counselling by psychologists through the Society’s LawCare service, via the LawCare hotline (24 hours): 1800 177 743. Members and member firms who would like to discuss strategies and structures to reduce risk and create healthy, supportive and thriving workplaces should contact Rebecca Niebler, our Organisational Culture and Support Officer, at ethics@qls.com.au
