The number of case files opened by support group LawCare jumped by two-thirds last year, with stress the main cause of concern. LawCare said that it opened 500 case files and received another 1,925 calls in 2008. This compares with 301 case files and 1,310 calls in 2007.

Of calls to LawCare’s 0800 279 6888 helpline, 72% related to stress and clinical ­depression, 9% to alcohol, 6% to bullying and 13% to ‘other’ problems, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, gambling and fears of redundancy. Women made up 60% of the callers but 75% of those with concerns about ­bullying.

‘Lawyers tend not to listen to what their mind and body is telling them,’ Hilary Tilby, LawCare chief executive said.

The group last week launched its Wellbeing Portal, a website offering confidential assessments to lawyers worried about stress. The site allows users to set email reminders to go to the gym or simply to get away from their desk at lunchtime. See www.lawcare.org.uk.