Some Law Schools Take the Lead in Students’ Well-Being, Report Finds

Published in The National Law Journal on Aug. 17, 2017.

Many law schools across the country run programs to help stressed out or depressed students, some of whom struggle with alcohol or drug problems.

There’s more work to do.

The National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being said in a report released earlier this week that law schools must change their cultures so that everyone—professors, administrators and students—takes responsibility for student well-being. The report, issued by a coalition of groups including the American Bar Association and the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers, stems from a groundbreaking study published last year showing that more than 40 percent of students felt they needed mental-health help and a quarter were at risk for problem drinking.

Some law schools are ahead of the pack, the report notes, and have implemented programs to help students with mental health problems and substance abuse.

PDF: law schools take lead in student wellbeing