Law Students, Law Professors and Mental Health

A forthcoming article in Journal of Legal Education discusses the prevalence and impact of major clinical depression on law students, law professors, and the legal profession in general. The first part of the article cites statistics on suicide among lawyers, and depression among law students. One study cited indicates that by the spring semester of their first year, 32 percent of 1Ls are clinically depressed, with the rate of depression increasing to 40 percent by graduation. The second part of the article documents the author’s experience with major depression and suicidal thoughts, and his ultimate treatment and successful “coming out” about mental health issues in the classroom.

On campus, professional mental health services are provided to all students, faculty, and staff at the Counseling Center. Some of the library resources on work-life balance are highlighted in law career resources research guide.

See Brian S. Clarke, Coming Out in the Classroom: Law Professors, Law Students and Depression, Journal of Legal Education (forthcoming 2015).