The American Psychological Association (APA) has begun to lobby for the elimination of mental health history enquiries during the licensing process for aspiring attorneys. The APA contends that prospective lawyers should not be obligated to provide disclosure about prior mental illness diagnoses or treatments.
The APA’s move underscores growing concerns about the potential stigmatization of mental health issues within the legal profession. These concerns revolve around the notion that requiring disclosure about mental health history might deter law students and new professionals from seeking critical help for fear of potential professional repercussions.
The APA’s concern about stigma is shared by other groups. For instance, in 2015, a consortium of law student organizations penned a letter to the American Bar Association advocating for changes in questions regarding mental health on the bar application. Other campaigns have also emerged encouraging lawyers to take care of their mental health.
In a culture traditionally focused on resilience and self-sufficiency, these efforts represent significant strides toward prioritizing mental health. It’s a perspective shift that could usher much-anticipated transformation in the legal profession.
For more information on the APA’s call for changes to mental health history questions for aspiring attorneys, you can read the full report here.