I need help
Barristers inherently face very specific challenges on a daily basis. If you need some help click on support to find contact details and advice on seeking support.
The professional lives of clerks and chambers’ staff include many potential stressors. If you don’t know how to broach an issue, want advice on your options.
These resources have been designed specifically for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.
Resources
Guidance on how to introduce wellbeing policies and initiatives and on tackling a wellbeing issue in chambers.
Examples of successful wellbeing initiatives adopted by chambers, Specialist Bar Associations and the Inns of Court.
Support
Who to talk to, how to get help in coping with the pressures and demands of life at the Bar.
Who to talk to and how to get help, resources are for clerks and staff themselves.
Support for students and pupils
Who to talk to and how to get help for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.
The confidential 24/7 helpline with access to counselling for barristers, pupils, clerks and chambers’ staff.
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Recognising the symptoms
Often we won’t notice subtle changes in the way we feel, think or behave or we try to ignore them, hoping they will go away of their own accord. However, these signs and symptoms can be seen as a warning. If we can identify stress at an early stage, we can put tried and tested strategies in place to help manage feelings of stress and counteract ill effects before they get worse.
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Although stress is not a psychiatric diagnosis, it is very closely linked to our psychological wellbeing. There is a significant body of research to demonstrate that stress also causes and exacerbates a range of physical conditions.
What is the difference between stress and pressure?
Stress and pressure are two different things. We need pressure to enable us to function and perform well. When demands are high and possibly unreasonable we may not feel we can adequately respond to these expectations. We may feel out of control and overwhelmed. This is when we tend to experience stress responses. This may happen over a long period of time or in short bursts. Excessive levels of stress have been shown to lead to burnout, a state of complete mental and physical exhaustion.
What are the causes of stress?
- Managing high expectations from solicitors, clients and judges
- Inconsistency of workload
- Volume of workload
- Long-hours culture – regular weekends preparing for cases
- Unpredictable work patterns
- Financial insecurity
- Reduction in boundaries between work and home due to technology
- Short deadlines
- Intolerance of mistakes at the Bar – leading to perfectionism
- Fear of being sued if mistakes are made
Steps to reduce stress
- Breathing techniques
- Write to do lists of personal and work things – all of them
- Prioritise what must be done and in what order
- Plan each week ahead
- Don’t have more than two work evening events if possible each week
- Make a hot or cold drink
- Being aware of your nutrition and hydration
- Take a walk
- Sleep
- Look at things very early if possible as a opposed to late at night
- Talk to friends and colleagues about what is stressful
- Play with a pet or take the dog for a walk
- Do something to help someone (not work)
- Focus on one of your five senses for a few minutes
- Remind yourself what is important in your life
“For the last four months I have been sat at home reviewing rape and child abuse videos without any real support or information as to when this task would end. …today my doctor signed me off sick for a fortnight…. Her view is such work is unbearable over such a long period of time. My absence will compound problems for others but I am burnt out and cannot face dealing with another such case for the foreseeable future.”
Philip Beardwell, CPS – This barrister was signed off for four weeks and was then given assistance through a fitness for work assessment. The CPS has now introduced routine counselling for staff dealing with such cases and have now much improved their policies on stress-related illness.
Where can I find out more?
- NHS general information about stress, anxiety and depression; http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-stress-anxiety.aspx
- Mind (the mental health charity) provide some tips for everyday living; http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/stress/#.VrjIC_mLTIU
- Guidelines on stress from The Mental Health Foundation; https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/stress
- NHS self-assessment to check your mood; http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/mood-self-assessment.aspx
Download information pack
If you would find it easier to read this content as a document, please download it here.
The information and resource packs on this website are designed to help you and your colleagues to work as a community for better wellbeing and professional resilience. If you want to provide feedback on these resources, or to get involved in promoting wellbeing please get in touch.
It can be difficult to make a living from law and it can be pressurised and demanding. Competition and an adversarial approach to everything can make collegiate relationships difficult. This website aims to provide you with the knowledge to manage these stressors, make emotionally informed, wise professional decisions and thrive in your chosen profession.
A simple expression that sums up wellbeing is ‘travelling well’
2 in 3 barristers feel that showing signs of stress equals weakness