Jordan MacNeil is a 38-year-old Mi’kmaq lawyer practicing in a small law firm in rural Nova Scotia. Jordan has been a respected member of the profession for over a decade and is known as a skilled advocate, dependable colleague, and mentor to junior lawyers.
Over the past year, Jordan’s workload has increased significantly. Jordan has managed several complex and emotionally demanding files, including a matter involving significant trauma and vulnerable clients. While Jordan has always been committed to their clients, the cumulative stress has begun to affect their wellbeing.
Recently, Jordan has noticed changes in their own health. They are experiencing difficulty sleeping, increased anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of exhaustion. Tasks that once felt manageable now feel overwhelming. Jordan has started arriving late, avoiding conversations with colleagues, and declining opportunities to participate in firm activities.
Jordan tells themselves that this is temporary and that they simply need to “push through.” They worry that admitting they are struggling may affect their reputation, career advancement, or how others view their ability to practice law.
Jordan thinks:
“Lawyers are supposed to be able to handle pressure. If people know I’m struggling, will they think I’m not competent?”
Over time, Jordan begins missing internal deadlines and becomes less responsive to colleagues. An elder in the community and senior lawyer on one of Jordan’s files, Priya, notices the change.
One afternoon, Priya stops by Jordan’s office.
Priya:
“Jordan, do you have a few minutes? I wanted to check in. I’ve noticed you seem like you’ve had a lot on your plate lately. How are you doing?”
Jordan:
“I’m fine. Just busy. You know how this profession is.”
Priya:
“I understand that things get busy, but I’ve noticed you seem more overwhelmed than usual. I’m not asking because I’m judging you. I just wanted to see if there is anything I can do to support you.”
Jordan:
(pauses)
“Honestly, I haven’t been doing great. I’m exhausted all the time, and I feel like I’m falling further behind. Some days, I just don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this. But I’m afraid to tell anyone because I don’t want people at the firm thinking I can’t handle my work.”
Priya:
“Thank you for trusting me, Jordan. I’m really glad you told me. When you say you don’t know how much longer you can keep doing this, can you tell me a little more about how you’ve been feeling?”
Jordan:
“I just feel completely overwhelmed. I’m exhausted all the time. I don’t know how to keep going like this without something changing.”
Priya:
“Thank you for being honest with me. You don’t have to manage all of this on your own. Would you be open to talking with someone who can help, or looking at what supports might be available to you?”
Jordan looks relieved but still uncertain.
Priya thanks Jordan for being honest and reassures them that seeking support is not a sign of weakness or professional failure. She offers to help Jordan connect with confidential mental health resources.
Although still uncertain, Jordan agrees.
With Jordan’s permission, Priya approaches the firm’s designated HR representativeand explains that Jordan is experiencing significant personal challenges and may require additional workplace support.
The designated HR representative meets with Jordan to discuss available options, including:
- Adjusting workload and deadlines
- Providing temporary flexibility;
- Connecting Jordan with confidential support services; and
- Developing a plan to maintain client responsibilities while prioritizing Jordan’s wellbeing.
Together, they discuss how Jordan can access appropriate support while ensuring that their client responsibilities continue to be managed.
Jordan is reminded that accessing support is not a sign of professional failure. The firm emphasizes that mental health is part of lawyer wellness, competence, and sustainability in practice. With support from the firm Jordan contacts the Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program (NSLAP) for confidential support and begins working with appropriate professionals to address their mental health needs.
Discussion Questions:
- Why might lawyers hesitate to disclose mental health challenges?
- Did Priya respond appropriately to Jordan’s concerns? Why?
- Why can open and supportive questions be important when a colleague appears to be struggling?
- What responsibilities do law firms and legal organizations have when a lawyer is struggling?
- What resources are available to support lawyers experiencing mental health challenges in Nova Scotia?
Use the Society’s Equity Lens Toolkit to help answer the above questions yourself.
The NSBS Answers will be posted to our Equity in Action page on September 15, 2026.
Resources Available to Nova Scotia Lawyers
Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program (NSLAP)
The Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program provides confidential counselling, referrals, and wellness supports for practising lawyers, law students, articled clerks, staff, and their families who are experiencing personal or professional challenges. Services are available 24 hours a day. (NSLAP)
NSLAP Contact:
1-866-299-1299
Confidential support available 24/7. (NSLAP)
Support may include assistance with:
- Stress and burnout
- Anxiety and depression
- Grief and trauma
- Substance use concerns
- Relationship and family challenges
- Workplace difficulties
- Crisis management (Canadian Bar Association)
Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Supports
Nova Scotia provides crisis and mental health supports for individuals experiencing mental health concerns, including urgent crisis intervention. The province’s resources include crisis lines, mental health intake services, and community supports. (Government of Nova Scotia)
Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line:
1-888-429-8167 (Government of Nova Scotia)
Mi’kmaq and culturally specific resources in Nova Scotia
1. Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq – Mental Wellness Team
The Mental Wellness Team provides case management and service navigation for First Nations people of all ages and works collaboratively with community and provincial services. Supports include anxiety, depression, grief, PTSD, stress, substance use and other mental-health concerns.
Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Mental Wellness Team
2. Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS)
EMHS provides culturally appropriate, community-based and community-led mental-health and addictions services for Mi’kmaq people in Eskasoni. Services span children, youth, adults and seniors and include counselling, crisis support, addictions services, social work and other wellness support.
Eskasoni Health Centre – Services
3. Eskasoni Crisis Centre
This is particularly notable because it provides 24/7 crisis services, including crisis intervention, referrals, case management and supportive programming. The centre identifies its services as available in Mi’kmaw and English.
The current Eskasoni Health Centre information lists the Crisis Centre at 902-379-2099, open 24/7.
4. Indigenous-wide resources that may also be useful
Hope for Wellness Help Line is available specifically for Indigenous people across Canada. It provides 24/7 telephone support at 1-855-242-3310, with English and French service and, upon request, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
African Nova Scotian culturally specific resources in Nova Scotia
1. Black Community Support Helpline: Call 1-855-732-1253 (ext. 2) for resource navigation and support tailored to individuals of African descent across Nova Scotia (messages are returned within 24 hours).
2. Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative: A free health program for Black men providing primary care, mental health support (social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists), and peer groups. https://www.nshealth.ca/nova-scotia-brotherhood
3. Nova Scotia Sisterhood: A free, culturally competent health care program for Black women and gender-diverse individuals aged 19 and older, offering clinical therapy and medical support. https://www.nshealth.ca/nova-scotia-sisterhood
4. IWK African Nova Scotian Service (ANSS): Provides individual and family mental health and addiction services, treatment groups, and community outreach for children and youth up to age 19. https://iwkhealth.ca/clinics-programs-services/african-nova-scotian-service