How to Promote Mental Health and Wellness in Professional Services Workplaces
Law firms, accountancy practices and other professional services are built on high standards, intellectual rigour and the drive for excellence. But alongside that ambition comes intense pressure, pressure that too often takes a personal toll. For those working in change and transformation roles within these environments, the stakes are particularly high. These professionals are often responsible for driving innovation, shifting culture and managing complex organisational dynamics, all while operating in sectors that have traditionally underinvested in wellbeing.
Whether you are managing transformation projects, implementing new systems or improving workplace culture, you will find practical strategies to protect your mental health and foster healthier ways of working.
What Drives Stress in Professional Services
Workload and Hours
Long hours and relentless workloads are key contributors to burnout in law, accountancy, and professional services. This culture of overwork is often seen as the norm, and constant availability is expected. Across teams and time zones, change professionals are under additional strain. It is difficult to disconnect due to billable hours and usage targets.
Client Expectations
Meeting client demands is a major stressor. The pressure to be responsive, accurate, and always “on” leaves many professionals feeling unable to switch off. For those in transformation roles, managing competing stakeholder expectations adds complexity. The emotional labour of supporting clients, especially during high-stakes moments, can erode wellbeing over time.
Workplace Culture
Stress is exacerbated by high performance standards, a lack of psychological safety, and stigma around mental health. Competition, lack of support, or experiences of exclusion contribute to a sense of isolation. Junior professionals often feel undervalued, while those driving change can struggle with limited recognition or resistance from leadership. A culture that rewards overwork and sees rest as weakness only reinforces the problem.
Financial Pressure
Financial stress is a key concern, particularly for early-career professionals with debt or high living costs. Burnout and time off worsen insecurity, creating a hard-to-break cycle. While pay in the sector is often competitive, the pressure to justify earnings with performance adds another layer of stress.
Overlooking mental health carries real consequences:
For individuals: Ongoing stress reduces focus, energy and emotional resilience, affecting both professional performance and personal wellbeing.
For firms: Mental ill-health contributes to staff turnover, reduced productivity and increased reputational risk.
For the sector: Widespread burnout undermines the ability to attract and retain top talent, and limits innovation and diversity.
Leadership and Wellbeing in the Legal Workplace
In a recent podcast conversation, executive coach Mike Polson explored the critical need for law firm leadership to evolve, placing genuine focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and long-term cultural change.
“People want to work within the model in a way that is sustainable and not detrimental to their wellbeing,” Mike shared. “Some of the tools and policies are there, but the challenges remain.”
Many firms are taking steps in the right direction, investing in wellbeing roles, improving resource allocation, and adopting frameworks like the Mindful Business Charter, but as Mike pointed out, “there’s still this tension between the financial success of the big law model and the human cost that can come with it.”
Leadership is central to solving this. As Mike sees it, the next generation of law firm leaders have an opportunity to shape a more sustainable culture, not by mimicking the habits of previous generations, but by bringing fresh insight and lived experience.
“If they are better tooled up to understand the wellbeing and sustainability dynamic... then Big Law could be a much better place in wellbeing terms,” he explained. “Supporting the next generation of leaders allows them to flourish, and in turn, support those working under them.”
Listen to the full episode for more on how law firm leadership is changing, and what it takes to create real cultural impact.
What Firms Can Do Now
Creating a healthier workplace takes clear, practical steps. For law, accountancy, and professional services, better mental health means building a culture where people can thrive.
Here’s how firms can make a difference:
Develop a tailored wellbeing strategy. Understand your people's needs and what works.
Train leaders to recognise distress and offer support.
Make confidential support easily accessible. Trust is key.
Reconsider flexibility and work life balance. Encourage time off and realistic expectations.
Foster a culture where it's safe to speak up about stress.
Listen to feedback and adapt your approach.
Challenge outdated performance measures.
Review policies to support recovery and inclusion.
Normalise healthy habits like movement and rest.
Keep mental health awareness ongoing.
Ensure equal access to support for all staff.
Partner with expert organisations for guidance.
Final Words
The professional services sector is evolving, but cultural change around mental health and wellbeing is still catching up. For those leading change in law, accountancy and consulting environments, the pressure is real, but so is the opportunity to make a difference.
Sustainable transformation is not just about strategy, technology or processes. It is about people. Supporting the wellbeing of change professionals is not a luxury, it is a necessity for lasting impact.
We specialise in recruiting change and transformation professionals across the legal, accounting and professional services sectors. We believe that fostering a healthy culture requires strategic change and a focus on your people.
If your firm is ready to drive meaningful change, we would love to help you find the right people to make it happen. Contact us to learn more.