The Oklahoma Bar Journal May 2026

O klahoma B ar F oundation N ews

Managing Stress in Practice: How Lawyers Helping Lawyers Can Help By Renee DeMoss

A CAREER IN LAW HAS long been recognized as a high-pressure job. The demands of a legal practice, the pressures of being a new lawyer, the burdens associated with running a law firm, the concerns about prosper ing financially and the desire to maintain a fulfilling personal life can easily become overwhelming. Studies find that lawyers have significantly elevated levels of men tal health distress, including anxi ety, depression and chronic stress, as well as higher levels of alcohol and other substance abuse disorders than other professions, including physicians. Similar findings are reported about law school students. Specifically in our state, the OBF’s recent survey of Oklahoma lawyers confirmed the pressures of law practice. Seventy-seven percent of responding lawyers identified high levels of stress and burnout as a primary challenge lawyers are facing, 62% identified an insufficient work-life balance, and 59% cited heavy workloads and long hours. Managing stress and maintaining mental health were also cited as pri mary challenges law students face. Increasingly, the legal indus try is recognizing wellness as a core component of professional

through their work lives. The pro gram provides confidential support to attorneys, judges and law stu dents who are dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and relationship challenges. Core services include free counseling – every OBA member is eligible for up to six hours of free counseling. Members can be referred to therapists, certified life coaches or peer mentors. Peer support is provided through a

competence. A good attorney is a healthy attorney. Most states have confidential programs offering specialized support to address mental health and substance abuse problems created by the stress of practice. Oklahoma is no exception. OBF grantee Lawyers Helping Lawyers Foundation works in conjunction with the OBA Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee to provide help to lawyers as they move

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL