Wellbeing Series 2023 – in conversation about stress awareness month

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for stress. Since the pandemic, there has been an increased focus on chambers and law firms encouraging an open dialogue with lawyers and staff on the impact of stress and how to open up about our mental and emotional state with our loved ones and colleagues. In the legal sector, it goes without saying that stress is even more prominent due to long hours of working in a fast-paced environment, coupled with working alongside peers who also have driven and perfectionist personalities that are prone to get stressed quickly.

This month, Chambers’ Marketing and Events Executive and Member of the Wellbeing Committee, Christianah Babajide, interviewed a few barristers and staff members for their tips and advice on how other barristers and legal professionals can deal with stress in their personal or professional lives. This wellbeing series sheds light on the importance of taking your annual leave (and actively switching off from answering emails), being aware of external factors that might be adding to your stress but are out of your control and highlighting financial wellbeing, which is often overlooked in favour of more traditional concepts.

Thank you to Rachel Langdale KC, Julian Matthews, Hari Kaur, Ayanna Nelson, Rose Harvey-Sullivan and Senior Clerk Paul Eeles for participating in this wellbeing series.

The 7BR wellbeing committee consists of the Chair Deirdre Goodwin, Ross Beaton, Ayanna Nelson, Kate Temple-Mabe, Susie Dugdale, James Crighton and Christianah Babajide. The committee holds regular meetings to discuss and explore specific challenges barristers and staff members face at the Bar and in a barristers chambers. They also signpost barristers and staff members to available resources to promote good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

You can read all the interviews here.

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