Hi, I’m Tim Culbert, a lawyer and partner at Purvis Culbert Law. I had the pleasure of joining Lindsay Mazza recently on her Hiding in Plain Sight podcast to have an open and honest conversation about mental health in the legal profession—a topic that has been both personal and pivotal in my journey.
The Silent Struggle in Law
When I started law school in 2008, discussions about mental health were rare, if not entirely absent. I vividly remember one of the first lectures where we were told, “Look to your left, look to your right—one of you won’t be here by graduation.” Instead of offering tools to navigate the inevitable challenges, the message was clear: survival of the fittest.
Unfortunately, this attitude followed many of us into practice. The legal profession is notorious for its high rates of stress, burnout, substance abuse, and mental health struggles. The expectation is to show up, put on a suit, and set aside your humanity—no matter what’s happening in your life.
But that doesn’t have to be the norm.
Finding My True North
After more than a decade in practice, I’ve come to realize that advocating for mental health isn’t just a passion—it’s my “true North”. I’ve experienced the highs and lows of this profession and have seen colleagues burn out or leave entirely. I knew something had to change, both in my practice and in the broader legal community.
At Purvis Culbert Law, we’ve made changes to promote balance and well-being:
- Mindful Communication: I limit after-hours communication and schedule emails to go out during business hours.
- Mental Health Fridays: My dog, our “Chief Therapy Officer,” comes to the office on Fridays, creating a more relaxed and supportive environment.
- Setting Boundaries: I’m upfront with clients about my approach—I’ll fight hard for them, but never at the expense of ethical boundaries or my mental health.
These small but significant changes have made my practice more sustainable and enjoyable.
Creating a Community for Change
One of my current projects is launching Lawyers with Depression Canada, a not-for-profit initiative aimed at connecting lawyers across the country to share their stories and support one another. Inspired by Dan Lukasik’s work in the U.S., I envision a space where lawyers can talk openly about their struggles, share solutions, and build a healthier professional community.
This isn’t just about creating a platform—it’s about changing the culture. We need to move beyond the “tough it out” mentality and instead foster an environment where vulnerability is seen as a strength, not a weakness.
A Call to Action
The legal profession is at an inflection point. Progress is happening, but it’s not happening fast enough. We need less talk and more action—simple, meaningful steps that make a real difference.
If you’re a lawyer, legal professional, or someone who cares about mental health in high-stress environments, I’d love to connect. Whether it’s sharing ideas, collaborating on initiatives, or simply being a listening ear, we all have a role to play.
You can reach me at tim@purvisculbertlaw.ca or connect with me on LinkedIn. Let’s keep the conversation going and build a better, healthier profession together.
Check out this podcast interview below: