Have you ever felt like the more successful you become, the harder it is to show when you’re struggling? For in-house counsel juggling nonstop deadlines, high-stakes decisions, and the pressure to always have the answers, it can feel impossible to slow down—let alone admit you’re not okay. That’s why talking openly about mental health for legal professionals is more important than ever.
Emma Sharma, a former in-house lawyer turned CEO, knows that feeling all too well. On paper, her career looks like a dream—she’s worked all over the world, led high-performing teams, and founded her own company. But behind the scenes, Emma was dealing with something very real: burnout, depression, and the emotional weight of complex PTSD. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how put-together someone looks, they might be quietly fighting to hold it all together.
Watch the full conversation with Emma Sharma here:
When Work Becomes a Distraction
For Emma, work was a kind of escape. It gave her structure and purpose, a place where she felt in control. And let’s be honest—many of us in the legal world can relate to that. But what happens when work becomes the thing we hide behind? When it’s the only way we know how to cope?
Eventually, the cracks started to show. The long hours, the constant striving, the need to push through—it all took a toll. Emma finally got the help she needed, but only after years of keeping her pain to herself. Her story isn’t rare. In fact, it’s way more common than most people admit. That’s why mental health for legal professionals needs to be part of the conversation, not something we whisper about behind closed doors.
Why Mental Health for Legal Professionals Must Be Talked About
Emma believes that the culture in many legal environments needs to change. And she’s right. Too often, showing vulnerability in this profession is mistaken for weakness. But real leadership isn’t about pretending to be perfect—it’s about being honest, especially when things are hard.
You don’t need a formal policy to start changing the culture. You just need to start showing up differently. Ask your team how they’re doing—and really listen. Share your own story when it feels right. Make it okay to say, “I’m not at 100% today.”
How Legal Professionals Can Support Mental Health in Small Ways
Creating space for these conversations doesn’t mean lowering the bar. It means creating an environment where people can actually do their best work without burning out. Supporting mental health for legal professionals might look like offering true flexibility, making mental health days the norm, or simply checking in more often.
Emma’s journey is a powerful reminder: success and struggle often go hand in hand. And the more we talk about it, the more we create room for others to breathe, to heal, and to lead without losing themselves in the process.
If you’re feeling the weight of it all, you’re not alone. And if you’re in a leadership role, you have a chance to do something meaningful—just by starting the conversation.
Watch the full conversation here: Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 3, Episode 14 ( Emma Sharma )
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At Notes to My (Legal) Self®, we’re dedicated to helping in-house legal professionals develop the skills, insights, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. From leadership development to legal operations optimization and emerging technology, we provide the tools to help you stay ahead.
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