3.5
Depressive Symptoms

The Study used the following definition for depression:

A mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, guilt or low self-esteem, disturbed sleep or appetite, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. In its most severe form, depression can lead to suicide. 

As with anxiety symptoms, the Study’s survey was designed to gather information on the rate of depressive symptoms experienced in the legal profession, rather than the rate of an official diagnosis of depression by a trained health care professional. However, the Study noted that it is possible to consider that someone has a mental illness when moderate to severe depressive symptoms are present.

Both 29% of Alberta survey respondents and national survey respondents indicated they have experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms at least once since the beginning of their career. 

National survey respondent groups with the highest proportion of depressive symptoms include those who: 

  • are under 40 years of age
  • are Indigenous
  • have less than 10 years of career experience
  • work in an education setting

National survey respondent groups with the highest proportion of both anxiety and depressive symptoms include those who live with a disability and who identify as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. 

Last modified: Friday, 26 September 2025, 12:20 PM