Chandni Challa
2L at SLU Law
[CW: Suicide]
I remember it well. It was Thanksgiving morning and I felt blessed. I was surrounded by my family, had caught up with friends, and was on the brink of finishing my first semester of law school. At some point, I looked at my phone and noticed I had an inordinate number of missed calls. I immediately called the first number I saw and upon listening to the other person, dropped my phone in disbelief: my best friend had taken their own life. I experienced a myriad of feelings in that moment from shock to sadness unsure how to react. Unfortunately, my experience is one that plays out many times with too many people.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States with 47,500 individuals completing suicide in 2019.1 Certain occupations have higher levels than others and lawyers rank 5th in prevalence by profession.2 Why is this? Psychological autopsies have shown that close to 90% of those who died from suicide suffered from some type of mood disorder.3 Equally staggering, lawyers are almost 4 times more likely to suffer from depression than nonlawyers.4 The adverse selection of those suffering from depression joining the legal field is due in large part to how the personality characteristics associated with depression such as pessimistic thinking are actually advantageous to the practice of law.5 In addition, chaotic schedules and stressful work environments only exacerbate depressive moods often leading to substance abuse to cope which further exacerbates the problem.6 This toxic feedback loop only heightens suicide ideation and execution as life becomes harder and harder to manage.
Knowing all of this, what can be done? This article is a good start. Stigma surrounding mental illness particularly in the legal field prevents those who need help from getting it. Stigma often prevents people from seeking help they need. Combatting stigma can be done in a number of ways, including being open to discuss mental health, educating yourself and others, being conscious of the language you use to discuss certain topics, and showing compassion for others. In addition to destigmatizing mental illness, lawyer assistance programs provide confidential services. The Missouri Lawyers' Assistance Program (MOLAP) offers professional, confidential programs for members of the Missouri Bar, immediate family members, and law students. 1-800-688-7859
I can't help but wonder that if my friend received the services he needed, whether he'd still be with us today. My experience with his death shook me to the core and made me realize that the only way to make sure his death was not in vain, was to actively participate in helping others get the help they so desperately need. As a student liaison for the BAMSL Well-Being Committee, I participate in programming and advocacy to help lawyers through what can be very trying experiences. The experience has been incredibly fulfilling and one I will continue well after graduating from law school.
Attorneys, law students, and their immediate families: If you need assistance with depression, anxiety, or burnout, please call MOLAP at 1-800-688-7859.
If you're considering suicide: Call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to 741741.
1. Suicide is a Leading Cause of Death in the United States, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.
2. Lawyers & Depression, DAVENEE FOUNDATION, http://www.daveneefoundation.org/scholarship/lawyers-and-depression/.
3. Louise Brådvik, Suicide Risk and Mental Disorder, Int J Environ Res Public Health (2018).
4. Jeena Cho, Attorney suicide: What every lawyer needs to know, ABA Journal (2019).
5. Id.
6. Id.
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