Research studies
demonstrate that many lawyers and judges suffer from high levels of depression,
anxiety, and overall unhappiness. Such unhappiness is initially cultivated in
law school, where studies show that the educational environment does not promote
sufficient coping and resiliency skills to prepare for the stresses of the
profession. However, more recent research and initiatives indicate that there
are ways that law school faculty can foster individual and collective student
well-being by incorporating positive psychology and strengths-based approaches
in teaching and other interactions with students. In this session, the
panelists will provide concrete teaching suggestions and techniques in
designing and implementing courses that promote, among other things, students’
compassion, confidence, creativity, emotional intelligence, autonomy, and
self-awareness.