Today is World Mental Health Day, an important day to recognize how our mental health and happiness depend on our social connections and friendships. This is true both inside and outside of our offices, because friendships formed at work, along with cooperative teaming, can help lawyers manage a successful, healthy and satisfying legal career.

Of course, the long hours and demanding nature of legal work can bring on stress and even depression in some cases, if left unaddressed. I have lived and truly understand those stresses and strains. That said, I want to remind everyone of something else you don’t hear so often: law firms, especially large ones with many employees, can actually be good places to form real friendships.