World Mental Health Day
Dear Students,
Saturday, October 10, 2020 is World Mental Health Day. Law school can be stressful, and that stress is exacerbated for many students by the pandemic.
I encourage you to take time to invest in your own mental health by working through one of the following modules. Most modules should take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.
Of course, you are welcome to explore more than one option if you like – there is some great information for each option.
Modules 1-3 can be completed on your own schedule. Modules 4, 5, and 6 are scheduled on Thursday, October 8, Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10.
Once you have completed a module, complete the Personal Wellness Self-Assessment.
Module 1: Stress Management and Wellness from the Law Student Perspective
Listen to this ABA for Law Students Podcast, Examining Stress and Offering Hope to Law Students. In this podcast, a group of law students discuss many of the stresses that law students face, including mental health issues like anxiety and depression, stress and time management pressures, particular challenges faced by LGBT students, etc. The podcast guests also have some practical advice for things law students can do to stay healthy, as well as some conversation about what law schools can do to support students.
Module 2: The Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness in Law School
Listen to this three-part podcast from the ABA’s Path to Law Student Wellbeing Podcast Series, The Practice and Benefits of Mindfulness. This podcast features special guest Scott Rogers of the University of Miami School of Law’s Mindfulness in Law Program: Part I; Part II; Part III; and this bonus 3-minute mindfulness exercise. Mindful meditation is often used by lawyers and law students as part of their self-care strategies, and many who practice mindfulness report feeling less anxiety and improved ability to focus, among other benefits. The podcast explores some of the many benefits of mindfulness and explains how law students can develop their own mindfulness practices.
Module 3: Fostering Well-Being in the Midst of a Pandemic
Many people have found the pandemic particularly stressful. If you feel that the pandemic has added to your stress over the past several months, this option could be for you. First, watch this short webinar with Jeena Cho: Finding Ease During Uncertainty. Although Ms. Cho’s audience is primarily lawyers, law students will also find it meaningful. Then, read these two articles for additional advice: The Campaign to Change Direction’s Staying Mentally Healthy During COVID-19; and Professor Heidi K. Brown’s (Brooklyn Law School) article for Medium about fostering well-being while working at home alone.
Module 4: Exploring the Intersection Between Racial Justice, Social Activism, and Mental Health
Thursday, October 8
Mental Health Webinar 3:30 PM CST
https://abaforlawstudents.com/event/38318/
National Zoom Webinar featuring Professor Rhonda Magee Author of The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness law professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, and a new member of the ABA CoLAP. The webinar will include an Introduction by Janet Stearns, Dean of Students, University of Miami School of Law, and Member of the ABA CoLAP as well as Ayat Nizam, Law Student, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and Chair, ABA Law Student Division.
Module 5: Strategies for Law Student Well-Being
Friday, October 9
Mental Health Workshop 12:00pm CST
https://live.remo.co/e/aba-law-student-division-monthly
National Workshop with the ABA Law Student Division, Law School SBA Presidents and ABA Representatives; featuring Jordana Confino, Fordham Law School author of Where Are We on the Path to Law Student Well Being (a report of the ABA CoLAP Law School Survey); Janet Stearns Dean of Students, University of Miami School of Law) and David Jaffe Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Washington College of Law, American University) to discuss practical strategies that law students can undertake in the year ahead with your law schools, the ABA, and with each state bar board of examiners
Module 6: Social Media Hashtag Campaign – A Day of Well-Being
Saturday, October 10
We can all up our commitment to make the time to move around, whether outdoors or indoors, and stay healthy. Choose your activity, and post a picture using the hashtags #LawStudentWellness and #ABAMentalHealth.
Additional Mental Health Resources
Here are a number of other resources that are available to you both through the law school and the university evaluate and review the following counseling, stress, and mindfulness resources to support your mental health.
Finally, please reach out if you would like help being connected to any resources or otherwise need any assistance.
Thanks,
Dean Aden
