I am often contacted by law school students, prospective law school students, and the parents of prospective law school students to offer some advice. While some of my advice is pretty standard, one recommendation I have seems to surprise a lot of people. That’s to research what’s available to you through your school’s student health services/center. Many U.S. law schools offer their students no-cost access to dieticians, therapists, etc. This is a wonderful and underutilized opportunity to create healthy routines and habits for yourself that will steady and sustain you throughout your career.
Some of you may find places to work after law school where you are able to make your health a priority. Most of you won’t – at least not initially. I don’t think that’s cool or that it gives our profession bragging rights for being so “tough.” I think it’s sad, and it needs to change. But right now, realistically, that’s what you’re facing.
You need a solid foundation before you enter this profession. The statistics are abysmal. Reports indicate that:
· lawyers are twice as likely to contemplate suicide as other U.S. adults[1];
· more than 1 in 10 attorneys had suicidal thoughts in the previous year;[2]
· 28% of lawyers are depressed;[3] and
· about 1 in 5 attorneys are problem drinkers – that number is also about twice the rate
of other U.S. adults.[4]
Yes, law school can be very challenging and time-consuming, but it is arguably less stressful than the jobs many of you will enter. So, take the time now to learn from a dietician how to relate to food as a way to give your body strength, and make sure you leave law school with some solid options for go-to, easy, quick meals and snacks that are healthy. Otherwise, it’s very easy (especially if you go into litigation) to end up mindlessly eating whatever can be obtained with the least effort and time (cookies, pizza, candy, etc.) and dealing with the health consequences later.
While you have free access to one, talk to a therapist. I don’t care if you feel like the world’s sanest human. Law school and a career as a lawyer pose their own unique challenges to your equilibrium. Develop a fully-stocked emotional toolbox that you can reach for when you need it most. And you will need it. You also may surprise yourself by identifying some unhealthy patterns you weren’t even aware you were stuck in. Now is the time to address them.
Why do I say this? First, this may be the last time you have access to such services at no cost. Take full advantage of that.
Second, the mental and physical health challenges facing attorneys are real, and it is much easier to take time now to build the healthy lifestyle you will need to face those challenges successfully than it is to alter an unhealthy lifestyle in the middle of a health crisis later. I spend a lot of time interacting with practicing attorneys and have mentored law school students for years. The statistics are abstractions, but they will become very real for you either personally, or because they are impacting your friends from law school, co-workers, opposing counsel, the other attorneys you meet through networking and service organizations, etc. In this career, you and the people around you can easily get caught up in the demands of the job and “wake up” 10 years out of law school asking “Why am I so unhappy?” “How did I get so worn down and unhealthy?” It’s a lot harder to pick up the pieces and figure out your way forward at that stage – although it is possible, so if you’re a veteran attorney who matches that description, don’t despair!
All of that to say, you aren’t doomed to a miserable and unhealthy life as a lawyer; but it is just a fact that a lot of attorneys do experience depression, suicidal tendencies, and/or substance abuse. Simply ignoring that fact and hoping for the best isn't a good strategy for success. You have a better chance of avoiding those issues if you are intentional and proactive about it and start making your mental and physical health a priority as early as possible.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/stressed-lonely-overworked-what-new-study-tells-us-about-lawyer-suicide-risk-2023-02-15/
[2] https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/publications/youraba/2017/december-2017/secrecy-and-fear-of-stigma-among-the-barriers-to-lawyer-well-bei/
[3] https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/publications/youraba/2017/december-2017/secrecy-and-fear-of-stigma-among-the-barriers-to-lawyer-well-bei/
This information was posted on August 8, 2024 and was accurate as of the date of writing. However, the law changes frequently, and readers should not rely solely on general online information but instead should consult a licensed attorney by asking questions about their specific issues when they need legal advice.
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