As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk about the mental health struggles faced by professionals in high-pressure careers like law and therapy. Behind the titles and responsibilities, they are human too.
Introduction
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on our emotional and psychological well-being—and to spark important conversations. Today, I want to focus on a group that often gets overlooked in mental health discussions: professionals in high-pressure careers, especially those in the legal and therapeutic fields, where I have lived experience and professional insight.
The Silent Struggles Behind the Titles
Last year in May, a chilling incident shook the Kenyan legal fraternity: a magistrate was shot in court while presiding over a matter. A year later, that traumatic event still echoes through our halls and chambers. It has reignited conversations about safety, support systems, and the mental toll of judicial work.
While physical security is critical, what remains less discussed is the psychological impact such events have on judicial officers and other professionals in similarly high-stakes environments.
We often wear the mask of composure. But beneath the robe, the gown, or the professional title lies a human being—exposed to chronic stress, vicarious trauma, burnout, and emotional fatigue.
Therapists Are Not Immune
Just last week, I came across a deeply saddening post about a psychologist who died by suicide. The collective response was one of shock: “How can a therapist get there?”
But that’s the problem.
We forget that no matter our profession, we are all human first.
As Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned trauma expert, puts it:
“Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.”
And when we fail to attend to what’s happening inside us, no professional boundary or accolade can protect us.
The Mental Health Challenges in High-Pressure Careers
Professionals in law, healthcare, finance, security, education, and therapy often face:
- Chronic Stress from decision-making, deadlines, or client demands
- Vicarious Trauma, especially in judicial and therapeutic settings
- Burnout due to lack of rest, unclear boundaries, and emotional exhaustion
- Stigma—the fear of being perceived as weak for seeking help
- Isolation, particularly for those expected to always “have it together”
What Can We Do?
The good news is, healing and support are possible. Here are practical steps we can take:
1. Normalize Seeking Help
Even professionals trained in mental health need therapy. Let’s remove the shame. As Dr. Thema Bryant, says:
“We are not meant to be everything to everyone. Rest is revolutionary.”
2. Create Peer Support Spaces
Professionals need safe spaces to debrief, share, and connect. Peer supervision and group therapy are vital tools.
3. Set Boundaries
Learn to say no. Prioritize rest. Build routines that respect your humanity.
4. Engage in Reflective Practice
Use journaling, supervision, or therapy to process what you carry emotionally.
5. Implement Organizational Change
Institutions must prioritize mental health programs, trauma-informed policies, and accessible psychological support.
The Power of Self-Compassion
At the heart of it all is the need for self-compassion. As Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading self-compassion researcher, reminds us:
“With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend.”
You are not failing by needing help. You are human.
Final Thoughts
This May, as we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, let us commit to checking in on the strong ones—including ourselves. High-pressure careers come with great responsibility, but they should not cost us our wellness.
Let’s move from silence to support, from burnout to balance/harmony, and from isolation to healing.
Your life matters. Your mental health matters. You matter.
