Lawyer Wellness: The Elephant In The Room
A 2016 ABA study showed that approximately 28%, 19%, and 23% of practicing lawyers are struggling with some level of depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also revealed that between 21% and 36% of attorneys qualify as problem drinkers.
The problem is so widespread that in 2017, the ABA House of Delegates approved Resolution 106 amended the ABA Model Rule for Minimum Continuing Legal Education (CLE) to include a requirement for lawyers to receive at least one hour of mental health, substance abuse credit every three years.
After this 2016 study set off alarm bells on the mental health of the legal profession, lawyers finally started talking about the elephant in the room. These conversations started a movement to improve the health and well-being of the legal profession.