One such initiative, recently launched by The Association of American Law Schools (AALS), directs individuals, particularly younger ones, seeking mental health-related resources to a massive, comprehensive clearinghouse for struggling law students and legal pros. “Student mental health, wellness, and well-being are critically important issues facing higher education, including law schools,” said University of Minnesota Dean Garry Jenkins in the project’s announcement. “The primary intent of this project is to enable deans to share resources, generate new ideas, and provide opportunities for law schools to learn from one another. We hope that by working collaboratively, we can improve the landscape for student mental health of law students.”
Jenkins led the project from his role as the chairman of the AALS Deans Forum Steering Committee. Jenkins worked alongside April Barton of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, Darby Dickerson of Southwestern Law School, Hari Osofsky of Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and Elizabeth Kronk Warner from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law.
From Twitter
ABA insideWashington @ABAGrassroots ·May 22
"It's #MentalHealthMonday! Did you know that every state has their own Lawyer Assistance Program which provides confidential services and support to judges, lawyers and law students who are facing substance use disorders or mental health issues? Learn more: https://ambar.org/hcui9l https://twitter.com/i/status/1660661911917133824"
Data from the AALS indicates the need for improved mental health services geared toward law school students is desperately needed. A 2021 survey published by the University of Louisville Law Review shows nearly 70% of those asked indicated they “needed help in the past year for emotional or mental health problems.”
Perhaps more startling is that 70% figure was 42% just a few years prior when the same survey was conducted in 2014. Further, the 2021 study also showed a substantial increase in suicidal thinking between the surveys. In 2014, AALS data showed 6% of law students reported suicidal thinking while the 2021 version indicated 11% of students had similar thoughts. “The number of students previously diagnosed with depression or another mental illness before entering law school also rose significantly during the same period,” according to the AALS. “While many factors may be contributing to these results—including the lasting impact of the pandemic—it is clear that the wellbeing of law students should be—and must be—of paramount concern to all of us.”
From Twitter
Florida Bar Committee on Mental Health & Wellness @FLWellLawyers ·May 22
"The FL Chapter of Mindfulness in Law Society, the @TheFlaBar Mental Health & Wellness of FL Lawyers Committee, and the FL Judicial Wellness Program are excited to invite you to the Mindfulness in Law webinar on 06/13/23 @ 12 PM EDT Session Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87685691959?pwd=ME5seGtaNzRsQ25INHQzOFd5QVFSdz09"
Among the resources available through the clearinghouse project are books, videos, articles and podcasts. According to the AALS, the project drew inspiration from the association’s Law Deans Antiracist Clearinghouse Project from 2020.