| The Hon Robert McClelland, Federal Attorney-General references ALSA |
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The Hon Robert McClelland, Federal Attorney-General, recently spoke about the importance of early intervention and the role that the profession and service providers can play in encouraging lawyers to seek early treatment regarding depression or any mental illness. Within this address he referred to and complimented ALSA's publication of a Depression Handbook for law students. "There is sufficient research to indicate that the early detection and treatment of depression reduces the extent of the suffering. There is, however, more work that can be done around early intervention and encouraging early ‘help-seeking’ behaviour for depression. This is an area in which the entire legal profession - universities, law societies, firms of every size, and services providers - must get involved. Earlier this year the Australian Law Students Association published a handbook for law students which tackles depression on several fronts – raising awareness on campus, being the catalyst for change at the faculty level, running mentoring programs, and hosting regular informal or small gatherings. This represents a serious and constructive attempt by law students to make a difference in the lives of their peers. Importantly, it makes the point that talking about personal depression with students, teachers or health professionals is a sign of strength, not weakness. It also stresses the importance of seeking treatment for depression at the earliest opportunity." |