3.7
Comparision of Lawyers, Articling Students and the General Population Prevalence Rates

The prevalence rates for mental health challenges in the previous sections include lawyer and articling student survey respondents collectively. The Study also provided the following information to highlight the difference between these two groups as well as how they compare with survey results involving the general population. 

  Canadian Lawyers     Alberta Lawyers     Canadian Articling Students     General Population  

  Moderate to severe
  depressive symptoms  

 28% 29% 44% 15%
  Anxiety symptoms

 36% 32% 50% 13%
  Suicidal ideation

 24% 26% 19% 12%
Psychological distress

 57% 55% 72% 40%
  Burnout

 56% 55% 37% 20%

These numbers illustrate that the prevalence rates for lawyer and articling student respondents are substantially higher than the general population and that no career stage of the legal profession is immune from experiencing mental health challenges.

Last modified: Friday, 26 September 2025, 1:21 PM