Nina Caplin is an employed barrister at Farrer & Co and sits on the committee of the Bar European Group.
In 2014 the Bar Council conducted a survey of wellbeing at the Bar – you may recall completing the survey (or one of the Barristers’ Working Lives surveys which now include a section on wellbeing). At the time this was the largest survey of wellbeing of any profession in the UK. It found that barristers were experiencing numerous challenges to their wellbeing including excessive rumination, self-critical perfectionism, negative stress affecting their work, anxiety, and poor sleep. Colleagues also reported that they were concerned that showing signs of stress at work indicated weakness.
A decision was taken to set up a working group – initially for a short time – to put together some recommendations following the survey report. Specialist Bar Associations, the Inns, the Circuits, the Institute of Barristers Clerks and other interested parties were asked to provide a representative to represent them on the working group. I volunteered to be the representative of the Bar European Group (BEG) and I have represented BEG on the Wellbeing at the Bar Working Group, recently reconstituted as a Panel, since then.
The Panel is chaired by an elected member of the group and aims to: first, provide members of the profession with the information and skills they need to stay well; second, support members of the profession as they deal with difficulties that arise in so far as they affect a barrister’s professional life; and third, assist those with responsibility (or taking on a supporting role) for those in difficulty or crisis.
What have we been doing since 2015? We’ve been supporting the Bar Council in various initiatives, including:
- Developing and updating a standalone website – please do take a look if you haven’t already
- Running a recently revamped Certificate of Recognition scheme for chambers and Inns
- Offering Mental Health First Aider training specifically aimed at barristers (in conjunction with Wellness for Law)
- Introducing an assistance programme for all self-employed members of the Bar
- Supporting initiatives including developing specialised training on dealing with vicarious trauma
It’s now been 10 years since that first survey – what’s changed? For me, it’s the normalisation of talking about mental health. Along with many other members of the Bar, I’ve had my own difficulties with my mental health and have also lost a friend and former colleague – a fellow employed barrister – to suicide. As noted above, 10 years ago there was a real concern that showing signs of stress was a sign of weakness or an inability to cope with the demands of the profession (which is a view that is still held by some). It is heartbreaking to think of colleagues and friends we have lost because they were too ashamed to admit they were struggling or could not bear the stigma.
I’ve been so inspired by senior members of the profession who have bravely spoken up over the last few years about their own struggles, who have demonstrated through their own lived experience that it’s possible to be successful in one’s profession, and also to experience symptoms of low mood and/or anxiety.
What’s next? Many of us are going through a learning curve about neurodivergence – again it seems that it was something that colleagues have been struggling with on their own and attempting to mask, whereas now it is clearer that with the right support, everyone can thrive.
If you or someone you know at the Bar is having difficulties with their mental health, please encourage them to seek support – from their GP, from the Samaritans, from the Bar Assistance programme, or from LawCare.
the European Advocate 