“My life was not always as it appeared” : Chris Parsons’ story of career success, mental ill health and addiction

From the outside it appeared Chris Parsons had it all. A quick rise to partner at a leading law firm in London, overseas assignments to Italy, Hong Kong, India and Singapore and all the sunshine, swimming pools and bright city lights that signify the expat lifestyle. On the inside however, it was a different story. Underneath the scaffold of his goals, promotions and career success, Chris experienced self-doubt, anxiety and stress that led him to self-medicate with alcohol and become an alcoholic. Thankfully this was not the end for Chris – or his career. In this session Chris tells of how his “brokenness” became his strength and provides his advice to other lawyers who are suffering from mental ill health or addiction.