SBM YLS

Mind Over The Matter

As an attendee of the 2024 American Bar Association Midyear Conference in Louisville, Kentucky the first weekend of February, it is easy to be caught up in the vastness of our profession. Between Continuing Legal Education Seminars that seemingly cover every topic from Black’s Law Dictionary to the multitude of state’s present at the semi-annual Young Lawyers Division, there is no end to the variety one can experience at the conference. Each of us, as individuals have a variety of layers within layers that make us unique. Our upbringing, attitudes, location, and career all impact who we are and what we represent as lawyers.  However,  while attending fantastic event put on by the Men of Color and Women of Color, I was struck by a through line that all of us share. As lawyers, our mental health is the most integral part of doing the work we choose.

The idea came from panelist Lonita Baker, a zealous advocate who championed Breonna Taylor’s family. As an advocate of justice, Mrs. Baker talked about the mental toll such advocacy took on her and after the case ended, she had to take a respite from practice to mentally recoup.  As someone who has had to prioritize my mental health at times throughout my young career, this resonates with me.

A study from the American Bar Association, published a few years ago stated that of the 13,000 working lawyers who responded to the survey:

  • 28 percent lawyers suffered from depression
  • 19 percent of lawyers had severe anxiety
  • 11.4 percent of lawyers had suicidal thoughts in the previous year

Additionally, the survey indicated that substance use and abuse, depression and anxiety were affecting younger lawyers at a greater rate. Whether these issues are caused by the imposter syndrome that most of us feel or the long hours at the office, taking care of our mental health as young lawyers is important as ever.

A couple of actions that I have found helpful when I find stress piling up are:

  • Take a quick walk to clear your head. Whether it’s a loop around your office or around the block with your dog at lunch, stepping away can be a huge help.
  • Meditate. With the many free apps that lead you in a short meditation, set aside a few minutes when you need it most.
  • Let the sun shine. Step outside or if there is no sun, invest in a sun lamp. Vitamin D!
  • Be kind to yourself. Know that you are always your biggest critic.

Jacob Eccleston is a real estate attorney with Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey, P.L.C. in the firm’s Kalamazoo, Michigan office. A Michigan State University College of Law graduate, Jacob is the current Secretary of the SBM Young Lawyers Section.