Why would a millionaire lawyer kill themselves?

Every now and again you can see reports in the newspapers that a successful lawyer completed suicide.

To the average reader, this might come as a surprise as the cases presented are typically along the lines of 'lawyer living in a multi-million-pound mansion leaves young children and their spouse' with often little to show significant risk prior to the act.

Just look at some of these:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11823149/Millionaire-London-lawyer-jumped-in-front-of-train-after-suffering-considerable-guilt.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202733/Im-sorry-Last-text-message-suicide-lawyer-struggling-juggle-motherhood-City-career.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/1138414/britains-top-human-rights-lawyer-who-represented-julian-assange-and-worked-alongside-george-clooneys-wife-amal-dies-in-apparent-suicide/

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/work-pressure-behind-suicide-of-city-lawyer-6808286.html

It came as no surprise that research highlights some of the highest rates among all professions of depression (around 20%) and problematic substance misuse (around 30%) to be found in lawyers.

Certain reports also show that the rates of completed suicide are higher than what is found in dentists.

So why is this issue so significant in the legal profession?

Surely high levels of stress can be identified by many, but this is not unique to barristers and judges.

The long working hours put a strain on one's psychological well-being and limit the time that can be spent with family, friends and on pursuing other hobbies.

You're probably aware that the culture might be to celebrate or meet clients in a pub. And in case you didn't know alcohol is a depressant, negatively affecting the quality of sleep and mood and severely limiting the effectiveness of antidepressant medication if someone is taking them and drinking.

Then comes the personality profiles of the people in the profession - highly driven, perhaps often a perfectionist, but finding it more difficult to tolerate uncertainty and when things don't go to plan.

Of course, this is all stereotypical and does not happen all the time, in every firm and does not describe everybody.

But the research highlights another important issue, which is a result of the personality and the 'success culture'.

Lawyers often find it difficult to ask for help and mental health or substance misuse problems are still seen as a 'sign of weakness'.

My understanding is that the issue is increasingly recognised by the employers and the resources are spent on improving well-being -both at work and in personal life. However seeing a psychiatrist or a qualified therapist is still a bit of a taboo.

With the attitudes to mental health slowly changing in society as a whole, hopefully for not too long.

The author is a consultant addictions and general psychiatrist working in the only online private psychiatry service. www.psychiatry-uk.com

The crazy 8 weeks in my life

I was convinced to join London Real Business accelerator even though I have a busy job and 2 young kids. It often meant working late at night (just like now) and organising additional childcare to attend the live calls.

It was tough, but doable. At least for the first 4 weeks.

But then we moved the house. There is a good reason why people consider it one of the most stressful events. Time required for packing, moving and unpacking; putting together new furniture, all the formalities related to it AND the lack of WiFi meant it was no longer possible to engage in the process. There is also the fact that wife traveled abroad and then became unwell and needing to go to hospital.

So now I live in a nicer place, with my own office, but will not be able to catch up with all the tasks required before the graduation. I wish I could have another go at this, or maybe join the next cohort from the week 4, but this surely will not be allowed.

Great programme, but there are times in your life, when it is not the right time to start.

How to get help with mental health problems in the UK

In most situations help can be obtained from GP
Family physicians are not experts, but they can often refer to an IAPT service (talking therapy) or try to prescribe medication.
If they do not feel sufficiently experienced they can refer to local psychiatric teams - if this is not an urgent problem usually means at least a few weeks of waiting.
If the problem is sudden - like suicidal attempt, or intense self-harm thoughts or disturbed behavior in psychosis, you should probably go to the nearest Accidents and Emergency - more and more hospitals have so called Psychiatric Liaison - consultative psychiatry teams working in the hospital and often in the Emergency Department.

It is usually possible to obtain an interpreter if you do not speak English well enough, although this depends on local access and the translators are often inexperienced in mental health.
In more urgent situations it is more difficult and if someone from family or friends speaks good English then it would be worthwhile to come to the meeting. Sometimes there is a telephone interpreting service available, but in emergency situations it can be problematic.

In addition to the help available within the public health service, there is of course the private sector. This can be paid by either your health insurance if you have one or per visit. From what I hear from the patients quality of these services is very diverse.

Additionally to get a consultation with a psychiatrists sometimes you need to travel long distances.

Because of the advancement in technology online assessment are now available. We are currently working on the development of a service that would help a person who respects his or her time and would rather be seen from the comfort of his or her own home.