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When a close friend—a former magistrate—died by suicide after struggling with marital issues, seasoned lawyer Kimani Githongo found his life forever altered.
The tragedy forced him to confront the often-hidden mental health crisis in the legal profession, leading him to become an advocate not only in law but for mental wellness among his peers.
“Suicide and depression affect advocates profoundly,” he says. “It’s an epidemic that affects the entire Kenyan population, but lawyers are especially vulnerable due to the pressures of our work.”
Kimani knows these pressures well. During his legal career, he often found himself providing emotional support to clients and colleagues alike.
Upskilling journey
Realising the need for formal mental health skills, he pursued a Master’s in Counselling and Psychology at Daystar University, later completed a PhD in Counseling from the University of the Valley of Mexico.
Today, Kimani teaches at Daystar and Pan Africa Christian University, is a director at the Family Wellness Centre in Naivasha, Nakuru and leads a rehabilitation centre focused on mental health.
“I’ve been passionate about mental health in the legal field ever since I kept hearing people say there was no law governing counselling and psychology in Kenya,” he says.
Kimani naturally felt compelled to do something, resulting in the Counsellors and Psychologists Act in 2014, which he helped establish. He later served as vice chairperson on the board, overseeing its implementation.
His dedication to advocacy led him to chair the Counsellors and Psychologists Society of Kenya, which, in 2020, signed a memorandum with the Law Society of Kenya to provide mental health services to lawyers facing depression, anxiety, and other psychological challenges.
Mental health issues among lawyers are widespread but rarely addressed openly.
Kimani explains that the pressures unique to the profession—high-stakes cases, demanding clients, and intense competition—can lead to burnout, substance abuse, and even suicide.
Among lawyers, the prevalence of depression peaks between ages 35 and 50, an age range he identifies as vulnerable due to societal expectations and economic stress.
“Too often, lawyers feel compelled to compare themselves to others or to meet unrealistic standards, which can push them into despair,” he says.
“For men, the cultural pressure to kaa ngumu (stay strong) prevents many from reaching out. Most come to us only when they’re at a crisis point.”
Stigma holds men back
Additionally, he observes that more female advocates seek help, but men often resist, deterred by stigma and the notion that vulnerability equates to weakness.
To address this crisis, Kimani and his team provide counselling under the Law Society of Kenya partnership, helping lawyers navigate depression, addiction, and anxiety.
However, capturing data on lawyer suicide remains difficult.
“We rarely talk about suicide, and sometimes we even alter death certificates, which means statistics are hard to come by,” he says.
The stigma surrounding mental health makes it harder to understand and address these challenges accurately.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation show that ages 15 to 29 are most affected by suicide, with rates declining after age 50 but rising again around 60-64 due to loneliness and health complications.
Among lawyers, Kimani says, the prevalence is highest between 35 to 50, driven by career pressures and personal expectations.
“Among lawyers, depression often presents as substance abuse, sleep disturbances, and, critically, isolation,” he says.
Lawyers who withdraw from their social networks or stop participating in regular activities are often showing signs of depression or suicidal ideation, he further points out.
Psychoeducation and policies
Kimani advocates a proactive approach to mental health, stressing the importance of psychoeducation, peer support, and institutional responsibility.
“Lawyers need to know it’s okay not to be okay. Awareness is key. We also need the Law Society of Kenya, employers, and institutions to implement suicide prevention policies and provide counselling,” he says.
He advises lawyers to maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting boundaries, seeking support groups, taking vacations, and pursuing fulfilling hobbies.
Employers especially have a crucial role to play.
“There is a need to avoid workplace bullying, underpaying advocates, and overburdening them with work,” Kimani says.
Ultimately, mental wellness starts with the individual taking proactive steps.
“Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Lawyers must know their limits and prioritise their own well-being to thrive,” he says.
In his view, the struggle with mental health is not new—it’s only becoming more visible as awareness grows.
“It has been there all along. We only have more statistics now because of population increase and a lot of awareness around it; we’re just now beginning to confront it openly,” he says.
Telltale symptoms
The telltale symptoms of mental conditions, he says, include irritability and not concentrating on routine.
“One feels like they don’t want to go to work or attend to clients. One may become absent from work with no cause. There is also isolation from social gatherings, activities, and even relatives. Rage and substance abuse may also be noticeable. For some, there is a dramatic change in moods whereby a once charming person will now no longer be interacting with people as they used to. One may start to break items, send abusive texts or sometimes even argue with the judge or magistrate, or fellow advocates for no reason whatsoever, and this will indicate that there is a problem. A once neat lawyer can also all of a sudden start dressing shabbily,” the psychologist says.
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