Recognizing World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health awareness established on October 10, 1992, by the World Federation for Mental Health. This year’s theme is: “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” 

Advocating for mental health at work is critical in any profession, and the legal profession is one of the most stressful industries in the United States. That stress doesn’t stop at lawyers—as a legal marketer, you may feel the pressure of multi-tasking, and impending deadlines stacking up, all with the knowledge that you are not a billable hour to your attorneys.  

How can we create balance? Here are a few ways you can help prioritize your mental health as a legal marketer. 

Stress Management:

Guidelines > Rules. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Always saying yes and never slowing down can wreak havoc on your mental and physical state. Rich Bracken, an emotional intelligence expert, suggests making meetings for 45 minutes so you’re intentionally giving yourself 15 minutes following the meeting to breathe and regroup. Running from one meeting to the next can lead to burnout. Take those 15 minutes to walk to the kitchen and get a cup of coffee or take the dog for a walk. Being refreshed will give you a clearer sense of your mission (project) on your desk.  

Work-Life Balance:

Lead by example. If your firm offers paid paternity leave, take it. If your firm has affiliate groups who regularly meet, allow space in your or your employees’ calendars to attend. Take your lunch break and go for a run or just relax.  

Energy Management:

Dr. Arin Reeves speaks about Energy Management in her book In Charge. Ask a colleague how they feel on a scale of 0-10. A number creates a clearly defined response and is more impactful than “good” or “fine.” If your colleague is at a 3, and you can push a meeting to give them space to get their energy up to a 5-6, offer that up. Understanding your own energy level will help create a less stressful, clearer conversation.  

Support Services:

Look to your firm’s departments and resources to help problem-solve. Do your firm’s secretaries or assistants have access to building PowerPoints? Lean in and ask them for help. Can someone who is already attending an event take a quick photo while they’re there? Ask them.  

Professional Development:

Work-life balance should always include professional development. If you aren’t growing in your career, you will likely experience burnout faster. Look for ways to join industry associations and attend events. Learn from your peers, ask your mentor for coffee and talk to them about their career path. Not every career path will be what you expected, and insights into success can be drawn from various buckets. 

Schedule and Keep Doctor’s Appointments:

If there’s one meeting you should keep, it’s a doctor’s appointment. Make sure you make and keep your regular check-ups with your providers.  

Ask for Help:

Whether it’s a quick text message to a friend or a Teams message to a colleague, there are more shoulders to lean on in your life than you realize.  

How do you prioritize your mental health as a legal marketer? Let us know in the comments. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical provider and/or mental health provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your health.