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Interview Summary: Mental Health Literacy in the Legal Profession
Host: Grace Robbie, The Protégé Podcast | Guest: Tammi McDermott, Founder of Lawnch and board member of the mental health charity, LIVIN.
Did you know that an estimated 97% of lawyers will experience a mental health decline at some stage in their career? It is a statistic that demands action, not just awareness.
Lawnch Founder, Tammi McDermott, recently sat down with The Protégé Podcast produced by leading Australian legal industry news publication Lawyers Weekly, to unpack this critical issue. In a wide-ranging discussion, Tammi shares her insights on the “resources gap” in the legal profession, the importance of emotional preparedness, and the necessary cultural shifts required to sustain a long-term career in law. Please see below for a summary of the chat or click here for the full Lawyers Weekly article as Tammi shares her personal journey and her vision for a more resilient legal future.
Tammi: I was admitted in 2006, so I’ve been in the profession for nearly 20 years this year. I’ve worked in a top-tier firm, boutique firms, and in-house roles, and I started my own professional services firm, Lawnch, two years ago. Interestingly, I originally studied law because I wanted to be Australia’s first female Prime Minister, though Julia Gillard beat me to it! I wanted to understand the different ways to practice law and develop the skills to look after the people around me.
Tammi: The statistics are staggering. It is estimated that 97% of all lawyers will experience a mental health decline at some stage in their career. Furthermore, suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 49. This has got to change.
There is a massive “resources gap” in law regarding mental health, and the profession hasn’t caught up yet. If lawyers aren’t mentally and emotionally prepared to face a legal career, they will struggle to survive in it.
Tammi: It still feels like a conversation that is pushed to the side. While Law Societies are taking steps, often firms think a “band-aid solution”—like having a certified mental health first aid worker—is enough. To truly address it, firms would need to prioritize employee well-being over client needs and billable hours, which rarely happens.
Tammi: My business partner and I met on the board of the mental health charity Liven, and we built Lawnch specifically to encourage positive mental health from the ground up. We have a gym on-site and actively encourage staff to leave during business hours for personal reasons, like catching a child’s school assembly or going for a walk. We prioritize our employees above clients and billable hours because that is the only way to ensure career sustainability.
Tammi: I had a very rude awakening when I suffered from post-natal depression with my second child and was hospitalised for a month. That experience gave me a clear understanding of what a mental health decline looks like and taught me how to manage my own well-being. I carried those lessons into my profession to create an environment where lawyers and R&D consultants can flourish.
Tammi: Yes, young lawyers are much better at prioritizing balance and mental health than previous generations. However, if firms don’t adapt to this new mindset, these lawyers will simply leave. We are already seeing this happen; for example, in Queensland, there was a 5% decline in lawyer registrations recently. The next generation won’t tolerate environments that demand they sacrifice their well-being.
Tammi: Leaders must prioritise their team over clients and billable hours. You need to start the conversation and let your team know it is okay to “stop running”. If you encourage them to keep running without a break, they will eventually stop permanently and leave the profession.
Tammi: Stay connected. Since COVID, I’ve seen a decline in connectivity because people are working from home or isolated in offices. Build your circle of colleagues and friends to support you. Also, remember that it is okay to not be okay, and it is okay to have a sick day for your mental health.
