Keywords
anxiety, depression, isolation, women, underrepresented groups, mental health, law school, law students, Generation Z, Gen Z, well-being
Abstract
It is not new that students struggle in law school. Research has shown for decades that, while students generally begin law school with healthy well-being, the competitive nature of law school combined with the stress of the Bar and securing post-Bar employment causes increased anxiety, depression, isolation, and related symptoms among students, especially women and underrepresented groups. What is new is the sheer number of law students struggling with serious mental health challenges today—a number that has reached crisis proportions.
This Article is divided into four parts. In Part I, I explore the mental health landscape for high school, college, and law students as well as practicing attorneys. In Part II, I explore some notable takeaways from the mental health literature, including that more women and underrepresented groups are suffering, and few students are seeking treatment In Part III, I explore research on Gen Z. Finally, in Part IV, I explore research on why law school causes elevated mental health symptoms among students and propose steps law schools and professors can take to improve students’ well-being.
Recommended Citation
Amy B. Levin,
The Kids Aren’t Alright,
78 Ark. L. Rev.
351
(2025).
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/alr/vol78/iss3/3