Work Stress and Isolation Contribute to Higher Risk of Suicide Among Lawyers and Older Adults
5.30.2025
Lawyers are twice as likely to experience thoughts of suicide than other professionals with stress, isolation and mental illness as the greatest risk factors leading to suicide. Similarly, older adults are at a much higher risk for suicide than other age groups according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
These sobering statistics were part of the recent program, “An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Lawyers.” It was sponsored by the New York State Bar Association’s Lawyers Assistance Program and the Committee on Attorney Well-Being in conjunction with mental health awareness month. The program was facilitated by attorney Chris Tafone who is on the board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and a member of its Long Island chapter.
“Lawyers have higher rates of suicide than the general population, with middle age and older adults having a higher rate of suicide than younger people,” said Tafone. “Veterans have a higher rate of suicide than non-veterans and suicide rates are three times higher in homes with a firearm than homes without one.”
A 2023 study commissioned by the California and DC Bar associations on the risk of suicide among lawyers concluded that “the profile of a lawyer with the highest risk for suicide is a lonely or socially isolated male with a high level of unmanageable stress, who is overly committed to their work, and may have a history of mental health problems.” The authors said their findings underscore the need for intervention to address work related stress and loneliness in the legal profession.
Concern for Older Adults and Retirees
While there are many risk factors that converge to contribute to suicide risk, Tafone says that older adults attempt at suicide often result in death because they live alone and have greater access to lethal means. Moreover, older adults have most likely endured the loss of a life partner and may be dealing with a chronic health issue or the loss of independence. Staying connected to older adults in your life and offering them support can be a lifeline.
Another protective factor in preventing suicide is continuing to have a strong sense of self and identity later in life. Tafone says the major shift from a busy working life to retirement can be traumatic and should not be overlooked.
“If your career plays a major role in your identity, retirement can be a major life change,” he said. “The more intense your practice is the harder it will be to leave and change your life so drastically. You can feel a loss of purpose.”
To that end, the Lawyer Assistance Program at NYSBA is working to create a program to address aging in the legal profession. The goal is to promote connectedness among older attorneys and provide opportunities to remain involved in new efforts from volunteering to advocacy.
The course focused on how to recognize warning signs and practical steps to help loved ones or colleagues in crisis find the help they need.
Warning Signs
- Talking or joking about suicide.
- Isolating behavior, excessive drinking or sleeping.
- Missing work or giving away possessions.
- Mood changes: depression, apathy, rage or a sudden upbeat mood.
Practical Steps
- Trust your gut and speak up.
- Listen with empathy, stay in touch.
- Safe environment: remove or lock up weapons and medications.
- Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
- Call 988 for crisis support and mental healthcare resources.
Tafone implored attendees who notice these signs in a family member, friend or colleague to trust their gut and speak up. Tafone says lawyers are accustomed to talking to people in a crisis and taking action and that’s what’s needed in this situation.
“It is uncomfortable and scary, but we should be comfortable tackling the tough topics,” he said.
It is important to listen with empathy and resist the effort to debate the value of life or try to fix the problem, adds Tafone. The person in crisis will have tunnel vision and may not be able to see the larger world around them. The job of a friend or loved one is to create a safe space for those in crisis to talk about their pain.
“The thoughts of suicide are often temporary. Time for the crisis to pass and distance from methods to hurt yourself is crucial. Time and distance are lifesaving, together we can create a culture that prioritizes mental health and suicide prevention. The fact that we are giving it attention here at the New York State Bar Association is a wonderful thing and will save lives.”
