We all deal with the stress of law school in different ways. Some students wear it as a badge of honor or consider it a rite of passage, some joke about it with their friends, and others quietly accept it. A surprising few, however, look at their mental state as a serious issue.
Survey Results
Underneath all the stress and pressure of law school, deeper, more serious mental health issues can exist. In a 2014 ABA survey conducted among law students, 17 percent of students screened positive for depression, 23 percent screened positive for mild to moderate anxiety, and 14 percent screened positive for severe anxiety.
It’s increasingly important we’re proactive and focus on our own self-care and mental wellness.
In another ABA survey, 42 percent of respondents indicated that in the past year they had thought they needed help for mental health or emotional problems. Of that number, roughly half had actually received counseling from a health professional.
Both of these surveys indicated that the potential threat to bar admission, social stigma, and concerns about privacy were among the main concerns discouraging respondents from seeking help.
