What many people dont realize is how incredibly lonely the legal profession can be. From day one, we are told we are on our own. We study alone, we are graded alone, and our successes (and failures) rest squarely on our shoulders - and no one elses. From getting good grades, to making law review, to passing the bar, and to finding a prestigious job, we are evaluated solely upon our own individual performances, and we can blame nobody but ourselves if we fail. We rarely talk about depression in the legal community. We all hit low points throughout law school and our legal careers. In law school, we dont really talk about about with one another (unless were already a few drinks in and starting to get sentimental on everyone). We know our colleagues are facing the same set of challenges we are, so we dont bother them with our problems. When we do decide to reach out, we are often confronted with the inevitable, Oh, Im so busy right now... next week? We dont blame our friends for not dropping everything last-minute to hang out and then somehow convince ourselves that its not that important. I dont know what awaits for me a year from now post-bar and when I enter practice, but I know that our profession faces a high rate of suicide and depression. As someone who had her depression under control for 4 years before entering law school, my mental well-being has presented more of a challenge than Appellate Advocacy and Civil Procedure combined. I would take 100 Supreme Court arguments over the struggle Ive faced the last 2 months. Cheryl Hanna had everything: the career, the family, and the prestige we all strive for in this profession. Yet despite her perfect outward appearance, helping hand, and sound advice, she struggled just like the rest of us to make it in this world. I am grateful that her husband has revealed her struggle to us. Not because we are looking to satisfy some sheer morbid curiosity about her death, but because it is an opportunity to bring awareness to the legal profession and Vermont that depression is serious, and can happen to the best of the best. Vermont lacks the adequate resources to deal with the wide spectrum of mental and emotional disorders, and we dont always know enough (or feel comfortable enough) to ask for help when we need it. I promise to ask for help when I need it, and I encourage everyone to do the same. There is no shame in admitting you need help - whether it be a friend to talk to or professional help - and I hope that Professor Hannas death has shown us why it is OK to ask. I am not always the greatest friend their is, and I know that. I often give more than I take. But if I cant help, I will find someone who can. And if I know youre struggling too, well find help together. I hope we continue to celebrate Professor Hannas life and legacy, but also hope we choose to embrace the unpleasant details of her passing and use it as an opportunity to educate and enlighten. Love and light my dear friends.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 22:59:42 +0000
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