There was a time in my career when I thought I was “Superman” and did not have to worry about my well-being as long as I kept meeting the needs of my clients.

• I thought I was Superman when I made phone calls to my clients while the ambulance was taking me to the hospital because of a heart attack.

• I thought I was Superman as I walked down two flights of stairs while suffering a stroke.

• I thought I was Superman when billing my clients for legal work the day after cancer surgery.

I was wrong then just as I am sometimes wrong now!

We are engaged in a very challenging and exhausting profession. Most lawyers understand the stress that we all face in our legal work, whether it is in trial practice or corporate transaction representation. Do you often wonder why the rate of suicide among lawyers is one of the highest of any profession? There is finally widespread realization that law is a very stressful profession, and we lawyers must learn how to take care of ourselves for our own good.

Thinking about lawyer wellness and work-life balance must become part of our professional habits. Everyone has their own view of what is appropriate work-life balance, but it might be good to discuss with someone else, such as a health-care provider or counselor, both your current mental health and what you can do to preserve or improve your mental health.

On May 9, the State Bar will be hosting a half-day seminar on lawyer well-being to address these issues. The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program also provides regular programming and information about lawyer wellness. It is important to think about wellness and mental health and use the available resources for your best interest.

Remember: Lawyer wellness is important!