This month, the American Bar Association Law Student Division has launched a mental health initiative to help law students battling depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The culmination of the project is National Mental Health Day on March 27. According to the organization’s web site, it will provide participating law schools with a mental health toolkit for student bar organizations and law deans to make available to students. Included in the toolkit is The Hidden Sources of Law School Stress a pamphlet written by Lawrence Krieger, a clinical professor at Florida State University College of Law.
One objective of the initiative is to help de-stigmatize problems with depression and anxiety among students. Often students avoid seeking help because they are concerned that they may have to disclose their problems in order to sit for the bar exam in their jurisdiction. On February 11, 2008 the ABA House of Delegates adopted as ABA policy a new Model Rule on Conditional Admission to Practice Law for bar applicants who have substance abuse or mental health conditions. Many jurisdictions may deem applicants unfit to practice for those reasons. The model rule, which is only advisory, would allow admission authorities to monitor such individuals for a period of time to insure that recovery is successful. It also provides for confidentiality so that those using its provisions will feel free to seek treatment without suffering stigma or denial of admission.
Locally, the New York City Bar Lawyer Assistance Program (NYC LAP) has a free, confidential service, available to attorneys, judges, law students and their family members, in New York City, who are struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, depression, anxiety, stress, as well as other addictions and mental health issues.
Source: National Law Journal, Leigh Jones, ABA Law Student Group Tackles Depression, March 12, 2008
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5 comments:
The ABA Law Student Division has selected March 27, as the official National Mental Health Day at law schools across the country. Under the plan, law schools are encouraged to sponsor educational programs and events that teach and foster breaking the stigma associated with severe depression and anxiety amongst law students and lawyers.
There are many ways to promote and encourage a healthy and safe environment at your law school or in your community. Whether through your SBA or local Bar groups, we hope you and your law school will take this opportunity to play an active role in the activities and events planned throughout the country for National Mental Health Day.
Aqua
Dual Diagnosis
Mental health initiative aimed at increasing awareness of common law student mental health issues. they are encouraging law schools to sponsor educational programs and events that teach and foster breaking the stigma associated with severe depression and anxiety amongst law students and lawyers.most law students face mental health issues.
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jelena
Florida Drug Rehab
Florida Drug Rehab
This decision will be very useful for the students, who cannot pay higher health bills. This is a very good start to aware and them help to come out from law school stress and depression.
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John
Addiction Recovery Florida
The American Bar Association Law Student Division has launched a mental health initiative to help law students battling depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The culmination of the project is National Mental Health Day on March 27.
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micheel
New York Drug Treatment
That's awesome that The American Bar Association Law Student Division has launched a mental health initiative. Everybody deserves help!
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