Friday, October 16th, 2015
The Canadian Bar Association, in conjunction with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada and Bell Let’s Talk, recently launced a free online wellness course specifically formulated and tailored to the needs and issues facing legal professionals, including law students, and their families. “Mental Health and Wellness in the Legal Profession” is designed to provide edudcation, supports, and resources for legal professionals to udnerstand mental health and addiction issues. In the free, online program, you’ll learn about:
-Mood disorders and their causes, symptoms and treatment options;
-How to foster positive prevention strategies;
-Treatment and recovery strategies for depression, anxiety, addiction and stress;
-How to reduce stigmatizing behaviours, attitudes and effects; and
-Support and resources for recovery and maintaining wellness.
Please go to http://cba.org/wellness/ to access this valuable tool!
Sunday, October 26th, 2014
Ontario Law Student, Class of 2014
My first year of law school was, without a doubt, the worst year of my life. I don’t really think I could even begin to explain how tough I found the course materials, in combination with the social pressures to participate in an emotionally exhausting Orientation Week, in combination with being away from home or any support systems. Although my school provides support for individuals who are going through a rough time, it is at times difficult to see that so many other students are going through exactly the same thing. Furthermore, it is difficult to open up and connect with other students who are also scared of being vulnerable. I wish that there was some way in which we could ‘check in’ with each other during the first months of first year, formally or informally, but everyone seemed too busy for that to happen.
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Sunday, October 26th, 2014
Ontario Law Student, Class of 2014
Isolation.
All my life I have known loneliness, difference, fringes. But, law school carves new wounds in my worn skin. As a half-black, half-white woman, I know too well how to survive as an outsider. Quick. Hide my sexual attraction to women. Hide my hatred of fact patterns. Hide the violence and poverty in my youth. Quicker. Hide my mounting $100 000 debt-load. Hide my inept hold of SCC decisions. No one can know. If they find out, they’ll throw me out of Osgoode. If they find out, I’ll go back to high heels & push-up bras, 14 hour days, and tips tips tips. If they find out, they’ll balk at my stupidness and the stitches coming open on my scars. No can know.
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Sunday, October 26th, 2014
Ontario Law Student, Class of 2015
I wanted to share my experience with applying for accommodations so that other students who need them will reach out for support. Due to personal circumstances and the stress that comes with law school, I began to struggle with maintaining my mental health. For a long time I tried to convince myself that what I was feeling was under my control and that attending classes and keeping up with schoolwork could be achieved with willpower alone. However, when I was unable to force myself to “get over it” and “pull myself together”, I knew it was time to get help.
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