Omnibus Report for Phase II of Study on Wellness in the Canadian Legal Profession Reveals Key Insights and Recommendations

The Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is sharing the Omnibus Report for Phase II of the “National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada”, recently released by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC). This groundbreaking study, conducted under the scientific direction of Dr. Nathalie Cadieux from the Université de Sherbrooke, provides vital insights into the mental health and well-being of legal professionals across the country, including those practicing in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The FLSC”s News Release can be found here.

Key Findings:

The report highlights significant challenges faced by legal professionals, including high levels of stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the study revealed that 74% of participating legal professionals consider their work to be mentally taxing, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to support the mental health of our legal community.

Phase II Highlights:

Phase II of the study involved in-depth interviews with legal professionals across Canada, including from Newfoundland and Labrador, which provided a deeper understanding of the unique challenges they face. The report calls for systemic changes in work culture, enhanced support systems, and the promotion of work-life balance to improve the overall well-being of legal professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dr. Nathalie Cadieux, the study’s principal investigator, stated, “This report is a significant step forward in our understanding of the mental health challenges faced by legal professionals. It underscores the importance of taking action at all levels—individual, organizational, and regulatory—to foster a culture of wellness in the legal profession.”

Recommendations:

The Omnibus Report offers a series of recommendations that the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador will be reviewing. These include promoting mental health awareness, improving access to support services, and adopting  policies that prioritize work-life balance.

The Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the critical importance of fostering a culture of wellness within the legal profession in Newfoundland and Labrador. One of the key pillars of the Law Society’s strategic plan for 2021-2024 is to “Promote Health and Wellness” and, as the report notes, a number of steps have already been taken to promote health and wellness in the legal profession including efforts to destigmatize mental health issues, improved CPD offerings, the introduction of the Wellness Toolbox and changes to the bar admission and articling processes. Nevertheless, the report shows that much work remains to be done. The Law Society is committed to reviewing the recommendations carefully and exploring ways to create a healthier work environment for everyone.

Read the Report:

To view the full report, along with the detailed findings and recommendations regarding Newfoundland and Labrador, please use the links below:

• English
• French

Posted: October 11, 2024