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Los Angeles, CA, March 5, 2015 Lawyers and law students are at great risk of substance abuse, addiction and depression, according to a recent study about the legal profession. Making the problem worse, says Counseling for a Better Life & Dynamic Directions, a referral service for people struggling with addiction issues, is the fact that many professionals and law students are not aware of the many resources available to help them deal with depression, mental health issues and substance abuse.
A recent article at the well-known “Above the Law” blog reported on the troubling statistics about the prevalence of substance abuse and depression issues among lawyers and law students. The article referenced a study undertaken by Yale Law School to explore the incidence of those issues among people practicing in and pursuing the legal profession. According to the study, nearly 32 percent of students responding to a survey at the law school reported facing severe mental health challenges during their time at law school. Other studies have found that lawyers face a statistically high risk of suicide, severe depression and addiction.
Perhaps more troubling than the raw statistics, says the referral website, is the data found deeper in the 102-page report: almost none of the students who reported feeling stress-related mental health issues and substance abuse problems sought help for their problems. The article about the study also pointed out the lack of support services at the school for those suffering from addiction and related mental health issues.
This is not an unusual situation according to CBLDD.com, which refers people struggling with substance abuse problems and addictions to effective treatment centers and counselors. In fact, many people and particularly professionals are not aware of the many resources and supports that exist.
For students who are still on their parents’ health insurance plans, as well as for lawyers who carry their own insurance, the Affordable Care Act means that substance abuse treatment, depression and other mental health challenges are covered as essential services under all qualifying insurance plans. The mental health and substance abuse insurance provisions remove a substantial barrier to seeking treatment for cash-strapped students and lawyers just beginning their careers.
However, a more insidious barrier to seeking treatment, says the referral service, is societal attitudes about stress-related mental health issues and substance abuse. Those in professional positions often resist seeking help for substance abuse and mental health issues because of the stigma associated with those conditions. This is evidenced in the statistics buried deeper within the report regarding the demographics of those who do seek help: men are less likely to seek help than women, whites are less likely to seek help than people of color, and those who identify as straight are less likely to seek help than those who consider themselves heterosexual and gender typical.
Those statistics point to a need for the type of service provided by CBLDD a confidential referral service that helps those struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues connect with treatment services that suit their needs. No one should have to face the struggle alone, they point out, when there are resources and assistance available to all.
About CBLDD: Counseling for a Better Life & Dynamic Directions is a valuable resource for people struggling with substance abuse and addiction issues. The online directory and help line at 888-363-5553 offer confidential assistance with finding local substance abuse treatment and therapy centers, as well as a wide range of educational papers and articles for addicts, people in recovery and their families and loved ones.
Release ID: 76259