Law Students Wary of Mental Health Counseling

Even though the ABA says the legal profession has a quality of life crisis, law students remain wary of getting help for mental health or substance use problems.

The reason: they worry that doing so will hurt their job and career prospects.

Consider these numbers: 42 percent of law students said they thought they needed help for emotional or mental health problems in the past year. But only half of them actually sought counseling.

That’s why experts agree that a top priority for the profession as a whole is to reduce the stigma around seeking help.

“A recent study of law students across the country found 63 percent believed seeking help for a substance use issue would negatively impact their careers or academic standing,” says attorney Jonathan Beitner, who focuses on professional development and wellness, in ABA Law Practice Today. “Nearly half thought the same was true if they were to receive help from a mental health professional.”

Read the survey here. Read the ABA Law Practice Today article here.

Keep your law firm strong, safe and successful by maintaining professional liability insurance with Lawyers Mutual.Our email newsletter “Practice Reimagined” offers timely tips, pointers and valuable wellness links to help you navigate the new normal.

Survey of Law Student Well-Being

In 2014, fifteen US law schools participated in an ABA study of substance use and mental health issues among law students. Following are some of the findings:

• Over half of the students reported drinking to the point of getting drunk within the past 30 days. Forty-three (43) percent reported binge drinking at least once in the prior two weeks. Twenty-two (22) percent reported binge drinking two or more times in the prior two weeks.
• More than 14 percent said they had used a non-prescribed drug in the past year.
• Marijuana and cocaine use have increased among law students since 1991.
• Seventeen (17) percent were found to be positive for depression. Twenty-three (23) percent reported mild to moderate anxiety, and 14 percent had severe anxiety.
• Only four percent had ever talked with a professional about an alcohol or drug issue.

Discouraging Factors: Alcohol or Drug Issues

Here are the top reasons law student don’t seek help for alcohol or drug issues: 

• Potential threat to bar admission (63 percent)
• Potential threat to job or academic status (62 percent)
• Social stigma (43 percent)
• Concerns about privacy (43 percent)
• Financial reasons (41 percent)
• Believing they could handle the problem themselves (39 percent)
• Not having the time (36 percent)

Discouraging Factors: Mental Health Issues

Here are the top reasons law student don’t seek help for alcohol or drug issues: 

• Potential threat to job or academic status (48 percent)
• Social stigma (47 percent)
• Financial reasons (47 percent)
• Potential threat to bar admission (45 percent)
• Believing they could handle the problem themselves (36 percent)
• Not having the time (34 percent)
• Concerns about privacy (30 percent)

6 Ways to Reduce the Stigma in Your Firm

1. Educate your team. Give them essential information about substance use and mental health. Share important studies like the ABA law school survey. Disseminate information about the NC State Bar Lawyer Assistance Program and BarCARES.
2. Talk about it. Create a safe space for your staff to discuss sensitive issues without fear of reprisal.
3. Hold regular staff meetings on wellness. Invite an outside expert to come in and talk.
4. Protect your team’s privacy. Always respect your employee’s right to privacy.
5. Create a resource and referral list. Know where to send someone for help if they come to you with a problem.
6. Create opportunities for healthy social connections. Make sure your employees feel safe, supported and valued.

What do you do in your firm to encourage your team members to get help when needed?

Jay Reeves is author of The Most Powerful Attorney in the World. He practiced law in North Carolina and South Carolina. Now he writes and speaks at CLEs, keynotes and in-firm presentations on lawyer professionalism and well-being. He runs Your Law Life LLC, which helps lawyers add purpose, profits and peace of mind to their practices. Contact jay@yourlawlife.com or 919-619-2441.