Depression continues to plague our profession, with the latest discouraging news that a University of Buffalo law student took his life last month by jumping from the building housing the firm where he was a summer intern. This young man had struggled with mental health issues for the five years prior to his death, starting after he suffered a concussion playing college football. He had been able to manage law school, but the stress of wanting to succeed in his summer job and worries about passing the bar exam finally put this young man over the edge. Literally.

The managing partner also felt that it was up to the attorney to “raise his hand” and ask for help. One source at the firm said that the firm had a wellness program in place, described as a combination of generous insurance coverage for mental health care, serving fresh fruit and encouraging fitness. Unfortunately what the firm lacked was a culture where employees felt comfortable coming forward to seek assistance.