LLB103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Schizophrenia, Ethology, Bipolar Disorder
Mental Health & Lawyering
● Australian law students report elevated levels of psychological distress and are at
greater risk for depression compared with Australian community norms and other
university student groups (Kelk, et al. 2009, 2010; Bergin & Pakenham, 2014)
● The deterioration in mental health may begin in the 1st year of study (Peterson &
Peterson, 2008; Sheldon & Krieger, 2007; Tani & Vines, 2009; Townes et al. 2011)
● 60% of lawyers reported moderate to very high levels of psychological distress (Kelk
et al., 2009). 37% of barristers reported depression during their career (NSW Bar
Association, 2014)
● Lawyers are at a greater risk of heart disease, alcoholism and drug use than the
general population (Seligman et al, 2005). Substantial rates of behavioural & mental
health problems, incl. alcohol dependent drinking, depression, anxiety and stress
(Chan et al., 2014; Krill, et al 2016).
● PLE students at ANU – over the course - no evidence of elevated symptoms of
depressive symptoms and only small increases in average stress symptoms (Tang &
Ferguson, 2014)
● Conclusion…Stress and depression are inextricably connected to law school and the
law profession
Myth or Fact?
●Mental health problems are rare.
●People with mental health problems are violent.
●People can recover completely from a mental illness.
●Addiction is a lifestyle choice and shows lack of willpower.
●You can be open about mental health problems without fearing you’ll be
treated differently.
●There’s not much you can do to help a friend experiencing a mental health
problem.
●People can’t work if they have a mental health problem.
Anxiety
● Most common mental condition in Australia
● 1 in 4 people
● Broad term
● Most common element is fear or worry
● Causes may include: family history, stressful life events, physical health problems,
substance use
Anxiety becomes a problem when…
● it is out of proportion to the situation and causes the individual significant distress or
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Document Summary
Australian law students report elevated levels of psychological distress and are at greater risk for depression compared with australian community norms and other university student groups (kelk, et al. The deterioration in mental health may begin in the 1st year of study (peterson & Peterson, 2008; sheldon & krieger, 2007; tani & vines, 2009; townes et al. 60% of lawyers reported moderate to very high levels of psychological distress (kelk et al. , 2009). 37% of barristers reported depression during their career (nsw bar. Lawyers are at a greater risk of heart disease, alcoholism and drug use than the general population (seligman et al, 2005). Substantial rates of behavioural & mental health problems, incl. alcohol dependent drinking, depression, anxiety and stress (chan et al. , 2014; krill, et al 2016). Ple students at anu over the course - no evidence of elevated symptoms of depressive symptoms and only small increases in average stress symptoms (tang &
