Lengthy work hours. Difficult clients and colleagues. Challenging legal matters. The fact that attorneys are inclined to higher rates of mental health and substance abuse issues than the general population isn’t fresh news, and rightly deserve clear awareness and resources. But when I graduated from law school just 10 years ago, no program existed to help students address these important issues. Many students and new lawyers were simply unprepared for the everyday, boots-on-the-ground life in a challenging industry.
Luckily, more legal programs–and law schools in particular–are addressing this critical issue. Laying out the statistics and available resources before a JD is rewarded is a crucial step in the right direction for equipping graduates with the knowledge they need to recognize the warning signs of depression and substance abuse before they become overwhelming.
The Statistics
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, mental health disorders affect 40 million adults – roughly 19 percent of the population. That figure is vastly higher for attorneys. More than 45 percent of legal practitioners experience depression, with 12 percent reporting having suicidal thoughts at least once during their career. Of the 20 percent of attorneys self-reporting substance abuse issues, three-quarters say their problems began in law school.
Likewise, nearly 21 percent of attorneys and legal professionals are considered problem drinkers, according to a recent study by the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. More specifically, 36 percent of attorneys report alcohol abuse struggles. Statistics further reveal that social drinking can boost earnings by as much as 14 percent compared to those who do not drink. And while not as common as alcohol addition, prescription drug abuse affects 9 percent of attorneys, as practitioners rely on prescriptions to work late hours or sleep at night.
The data is especially troubling in the law school community. For students, 72 percent report serious substance misuse. The stigma is particularly acute as students overwhelmingly keep the problem hidden to avoid the risk of disqualification from Bar admission.
Equipping Students
Many law firms support their young associates with mental health and substance abuse resources, including in-house programs and specialists equipped to handle the issues specific to the industry. And while not as prevalent just a few years ago, more schools are now following suit by providing students practical guidance on understanding the warning signs and utilizing resources to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The UT School of Law’s Student Affairs Office is one such resource that provides students with guidance on mental health, stress management, physical fitness, and nutrition, regardless of insurance. A full-time counselor is additionally available at no charge. The Texas Law Resilience Fund further supports students with funding for mental health treatment, therapy, prescriptions, and emergency expenses. Free and confidential group therapy resources support law students in addressing the myriad emotional and academic concerns and finding community through peer interactions. The university’s Recreational Sports program promotes physical fitness and healthy habits.
Like the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program and the American Bar Association’s Well-Being Pledge Campaign, UT Law’s health and wellness initiatives give struggling students and future attorneys the chance to not only address mental health and substance abuse problems, but flourish in spite of them.
For more information on UT Law’s Health and Wellness program, visit law.utexas.edu/students/wellness.
Lee assists clients navigating the complex puzzle of real estate, land use, and administrative law, with experience spanning the private and public sectors. His guidance includes negotiating purchase and sale agreements, leases, easement conveyances, and right-of-way use permits, as well as processing zoning changes and variance requests that come before city commissions and councils. A former journalist, Lee’s unique research and writing background equips clients with the clarity necessary to achieve favorable outcomes.