World Mental Health Day: in conversation with Jonathan’s Voice

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

World Mental Health Day: in conversation with Jonathan’s Voice

MIP Podcast newsletter header banner plain.png

In this special podcast, Managing IP talks to a charity that is working tirelessly to support mental health initiatives in the IP profession

“It’s not just about being nice – it’s about business sense,” was one of many themes to emerge from our hour-long discussion with the charity Jonathan’s Voice to mark World Mental Health Day today, October 10.

Jonathan McCartney, after whom the charity is named, was a UK patent attorney who tragically took his own life in 2017 at the age of 35. He was described as loyal, kind, and loving, always doing his best for, and by, everyone.

On the podcast, his father Graham McCartney reveals that Jonathan’s death came as a complete shock after his son “appeared to hit a brick wall, mentally”. The family wanted to pay tribute to Jonathan’s life and create positive change for others, so they created the charity in his name.

One of the key figures is Penelope Aspinall, who joined Jonathan’s Voice in 2022 as a mental health consultant and lead trainer. She accompanies Graham on the podcast, with the discussion hosted by Managing IP’s editor-in-chief Ed Conlon.

Jonathan’s Voice spearheads and supports a number of initiatives, both in the UK and internationally, and collaborates with various organisations including IP Inclusive and the UKIPO. Graham describes one of the academics they work with as an “inspiration in the field of suicide research”.

As Graham and Penelope discuss, deadlines are the biggest cause of stress and anxiety in IP. A survey last year showed that around 50% of people were considering leaving their firm or the profession because of stress and anxiety. “It is shocking,” Penelope says.

On the podcast, Graham and Penelope cover a wide range of important topics, including:

· The themes their work has identified;

· How senior IP leaders can set the right culture in their firms;

· What attorneys should be offered when they are promoted;

· What Jonathan’s Voice’s ultimate goals are;

· How people can support the charity; and

· Their key message for anyone, including anyone in IP, who is struggling with mental health

If you’d like to learn more about Jonathan’s Voice, please visit the website jonathansvoice.org.uk or contact Graham directly at graham@jonathansvoice.org.uk.

Managing IP would like to thank Graham and Penelope for their time and to wish them all the best in their important endeavours.

The monthly IP Lounge podcast will return next month.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

The insensitive reaction to a UK politician crying on TV proves we have a long way to go before we can say we are tackling workplace wellbeing
Adrian Percer says he was impressed by the firm’s work on billion-dollar cases as well as its culture
In our latest interview with women IP leaders, Catherine Bonner at Murgitroyd discusses technology, training, and teaching
Developments included an update in the VAR dispute between Ballinno and UEFA, the latest CMS updates, and a swathe of market moves
The LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards is thrilled to present the 2025 shortlist
A new order has brought the total security awarded to a Canadian tech company to $45 million, the highest-ever by an Indian court in an IP case
Andrew Blattman reflects on how IP practices have changed and shares his hopes for increased AI use and better performance on the stock market
The firm said major IP developments included advising on a ‘landmark’ deal involving green hydrogen production, as well as two major acquisitions
The appointments follow other recent moves in the European market as firms look to bolster their UPC offerings
Deborah Kirk discusses why IP and technology have become central pillars in transactions and explains why clients need practically minded lawyers
Gift this article