WBI Weekly Digest
Welcome Back, From Your Friends at WBI!
Welcome back, or for the first time, to Mondale Hall! We hope you had a
fulfilling, restful, and enjoyable summer. We are grateful you are part of
our Minnesota Law community!
Every Wednesday, WBI sends our weekly Well-Being Wednesday newsletters!
This newsletter is the best way to be on the lookout for student-run
wellbeing programs, community events, and ways to get involved.
Are your friends interested in receiving this newsletter? They can sign up
here. <https://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=WBI-NEWSLETTER&A=1>
Programs, Events, and Exciting Things to Kick Off the School Year!
WBI Mentorship Program
We need mentors!
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfvsaP2J2Mb84WQl8StX5KNC6THZVOtFDup53y6TbvlVsdOA/viewform>
The
mentorship program is a staple of WBI. We have a large interest in students
wanting to get involved with the program this year! Right now, we need more
2Ls and 3Ls to serve as mentors for our interested mentees!
As a mentor/mentee duo, you get to choose how often you meet. As a mentor,
you can help guide your mentee through law school using your own
experiences. This is purely a peer-to-peer opportunity to share your advice
and wisdom with other law students! It is also a great way to meet new
people.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please fill out this form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfvsaP2J2Mb84WQl8StX5KNC6THZVOtFDup53y6TbvlVsdOA/viewform>
.
Subcommittees
WBI has three subcommittees: Physical, Personal, and Academic.
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The physical subcommittee focuses on student physical health and
wellbeing.
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The personal subcommittee focuses on student mental health and
wellbeing.
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The academic subcommittee focuses on student academic and career
wellbeing.
Most of our events and initiatives are planned by members of the
subcommittees. We are eagerly planning events and programs. Be on the
lookout for exciting happenings throughout the school year.
WE WANT YOU to join one of our subcommittees!! Fill out this form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrLRbXTLwnmZXJtDUivsK58Ouf7xKxOZ1k5yndJrekm-shZQ/viewform>to
express your interest! We are ALWAYS looking for new students to join – we
love new ideas and perspectives!
Stress Management for Law Students
Friday, September 16 ~ 12:15pm-1:15pm ~ Mondale Hall, Room 7
Come join us as we team up with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers to equip law
students with coping skills and strategies to manage stress in law school.
The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to gain skills so you
have strategies in your toolbox to manage stress when life gets
overwhelming. Chase Andersen from LCL will be presenting and will be around
to answer any questions!
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Walk-ins welcome, but you can also register HERE
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfm6-xRcn8rOO_O9DCyHqQcYrF5NyFv6vFd6bgsRkig-3pV3A/viewform>
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NAMI Connections Group for Minnesota Law Students
The NAMI Connection group offers peer-led support for law students living
with mental health disorders who attend any Minnesota Law School (UMN Law,
St. Thomas, Mitchell Hamline).
NAMI Connection is a recovery support group for adults with a mental
illness regardless of their diagnosis. (Aka… you don’t need an official
diagnosis to join us). This group is offered free of charge and is led by
trained individuals who are also in recovery – people who understand the
challenges folks with mental illness face.
Who: Law students living with mental illness (No diagnosis required)
What: Peer-led support group!
When: 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month; 4:30-6:00pm
Where: Remote; https://umn.zoom.us/j/97566449394
Meeting ID: 975 6644 9394
See attached flyer.
This group is confidential. It is not therapy.
Click here to see other NAMI Connection Groups offered in Minnesota.
<https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesota-support-groups/>
"Character and Fitness" Wellness Group
A student-run, safe, strictly confidential, judgment-free, casual support
group welcomes anyone struggling with substance use or who is in recovery.
Who: University of Minnesota law students struggling with substance use or
who are in recovery
What: Student-run, peer support group
When: Held every Friday at 12:30
Where: Mondale Hall
Hybrid meeting: Contact [log in to unmask] for room location, Zoom
info, support, or other inquiries.
See attached flyer.
Find Mental Health Care Now!
We want to stress the importance of prioritizing your mental health and
wellbeing. While you may be feeling great right now, law school and
unexpected life events can become overwhelming. Therefore, it is important
to set up your mental health care NOW, even before you may feel that you
need the extra support. With a nationwide lack of mental health providers,
we suggest getting set up with mental health support early. It can take
months to see a provider – if you get on a waitlist now, by the time
midterms and finals roll around, you will already have the professional
support at your fingertips!
Here are some tips:
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Already have an existing therapist? See if you can continue working with
them across state lines/virtually. This may be dependent on your insurance.
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Maintenance counseling is amazing! You don’t need to be in a crisis to
see a mental health professional. Start by seeing a therapist 1-2x/month,
then you have an established provider when you are looking for that extra
support.
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Take your time picking the right provider. Ask to have a phone, Zoom, or
in-person consultation before you solidify the relationship. It is
important that you feel comfortable, at ease, and trust your mental health
provider.
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It is okay to switch between therapists. It is all about finding the
right fit.
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If you know you will be needing psychiatric medications, get that
squared away now. Talk to your existing doctor about how to transition care
to Minnesota or how you can keep using them as your provider.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few resources:
Boynton Mental Health
<https://boynton.umn.edu/clinics/boynton-mental-health>
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Boynton is the University-run mental health provider
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To schedule your first appointment, call 612-624-1444
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Offering in-person and telehealth
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Individual and couples therapy available (10-session-per-year limit for
each type)
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Eating disorder services, ADD/ADHD treatment, alcohol and chemical
health services, and group therapy available
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BOYNTON FILLS UP EXTREMELY QUICKLY. SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT ASAP
SO YOU ARE AN ESTABLISHED PATIENT FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers <https://www.mnlcl.org/>
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LCL offers resources on substance use and compulsive behaviors, mental
illness, stress, and well-being
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LCL offers free counseling through Sand Creek for any issue that causes
stress or distress.
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LCL Support Groups <https://www.mnlcl.org/support-groups/#adhd_support>
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ADD/ADHD Support Group: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 12:00pm
via Zoom (Pre-Registration is required for this group. Email
[log in to unmask])
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Well-Being Group: Thursdays 12:00-1:00 via Zoom
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Need assistance now? Call 651-646-5590 or 800-525-6466
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For 24-hour phone counseling, call Sand Creek
<https://www.mnlcl.org/services/counseling/> at 651-430-3383 or
888-243-5744 (If asked, say you were referred by LCL)
Looking for a Therapist?
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Learn about the various types of mental health professionals and types
of treatments available.
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Types of Mental Health Professionals
<https://www.mhanational.org/types-mental-health-professionals>
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Types of Mental Health Treatments
<https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-treatments>
Psychology Today Find a Therapist Search Tool
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mn/minneapolis>
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Psychology Today is a great resource to find a therapist
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Filter by specific location, accepted insurance, sliding scale,
specialty, issues, age, gender, sexuality, language spoken, ethnicity,
faith, and more
Fast Tracker <https://fasttrackermn.org/>
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Search tool for mental health and substance use disorder resources in
Minnesota
Community Events
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors,
allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
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This summer, the 988 Lifeline went active! Now anyone can dial 988 to be
connected to the Lifeline.
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Suicide Prevention: Every Lawyer’s Opportunity – Read the article HERE
<https://www.mnlcl.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SuicidePrevention-Hennepin-Lawyer-9-17.pdf>
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Learn about the risk of suicide HERE
<https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Risk-of-Suicide>
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Learn about 988 and the crisis response system HERE
<https://nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/988-Reimagining-Crisis-Response>
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You are important. You belong. We need you in this world.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention CLE Presented by LCL
Tuesday, September 13, 4-5 p.m.
“Our profession's stress is a predictor for depression, and untreated
depression is the #1 predictor for suicide. Lawyers must also deal with
the fact that clients can be suicidal. This program will help you
understand facts and myths about suicide; recognize signs and indicators
for depression, anxiety, and suicide; and provide resources and a protocol
for offering and seeking help to prevent suicide. September 10 is World
Suicide Prevention Day.”
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More information and registration here
<https://cts.vrmailer3.com/click?sk=aIakB2JgSjBLpiQdWAO0F5Dv0yvzdoiV2BdQoxCGzPy8=/aHR0cHM6Ly91czAyd2ViLnpvb20udXMvbWVldGluZy9yZWdpc3Rlci90Wk12Yy02cnJqTW9HZGF6dkRoNGVaMWVzNkd0RldQZXVuRTI_X3hfem1fcnRhaWQ9OGYxNlBRWE9TTjI2d2pVQTJKNWUzdy4xNjYxNTIxMjA0OTQ4LmQwOGQ3NzQwMGU2NjY2N2VkODExNjVhNTBkMDMyNzJlJl94X3ptX3JodGFpZD0yOQ==/fe_110er6OKsvSi17k_83w==&merge_field_type=(?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)%5B%5Cs%5D*%5B%27%22%5D(?%3Curl%3E%5B%5E%7B%22%5D.+?)%5B%22%5D)&href_id_source=vr2-href-id-source-7>
.
Minnesota Disability Bar Association
This new organization is for legal professionals with disabilities and
their allies.
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Disability Awareness, Rights, and Justice CLE, 9/22, 12-1 p.m. Register
here
<https://cts.vrmailer3.com/click?sk=aIakB2JgSjBLpiQdWAO0F5Dv0yvzdoiV2BdQoxCGzPy8=/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jb20vZS9tZGlzYmEtcHJlc2VudHMtZGlzYWJpbGl0eS1hd2FyZW5lc3MtcmlnaHRzLWFuZC1qdXN0aWNlLXRpY2tldHMtNDExNDA4MDMxNDk3/OqR3waiWB_jdy6cc9bjUpQ==&merge_field_type=(?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)%5B%5Cs%5D*%5B%27%22%5D(?%3Curl%3E%5B%5E%7B%22%5D.+?)%5B%22%5D)&href_id_source=vr2-href-id-source-34>.
Available in-person and via Zoom.
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Newsletter
<https://cts.vrmailer3.com/click?sk=aIakB2JgSjBLpiQdWAO0F5Dv0yvzdoiV2BdQoxCGzPy8=/aHR0cHM6Ly9nbWFpbC51czExLmxpc3QtbWFuYWdlLmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmU_dT03YzBmODhmNmQwMjRiYWI3YjVkZTBlNDdjJmlkPTBjM2ZlMzIzZTM=/y8n0yvoafdFF_HaYiVKzNA==&merge_field_type=(?x-mi:(?%3C=href=)%5B%5Cs%5D*%5B%27%22%5D(?%3Curl%3E%5B%5E%7B%22%5D.+?)%5B%22%5D)&href_id_source=vr2-href-id-source-35>
sign up
Advice Column
Hey all! My name is Sierra, I'm a 2L. Here are some 10 wellness and/or law
school tips that I would like to pass on to you. Some are silly, some are
serious, all are from personal experience. I hope one is helpful for you.
1.
Bring a fork or spoon in your lunch. (Also, bring a lunch and a snack!)
There is one singular metal spoon in N20 at the moment, but if it's
anything like the forks it is probably gone by the time you read this. The
plastic silverware is not guaranteed to be refilled.
2.
Take your mental health seriously. Law school is hard. I know we all
have a lot on our plates, but please start looking into therapy options
and, if applicable, get in contact with the Disability Resource Center now
rather than in the middle of the semester after a small break down in your
Torts Professors’ office hours.
3.
Sleep. Make sure you are prioritizing sleep. Get your 7-9 hours a night.
Your body, mind, and grades will thank you.
4.
Drink water. Yes, there is now more easily available coffee in N20, but
for every cup of coffee please consider drinking a cup or two of water.
Dehydration and over-caffeination may lead to odd answers during cold calls
5.
Talk to your professors. They are here to teach you the law, but they
are also very valuable in helping you figure out what are the options in
the legal field.
6.
Play. Find ways to have fun. Life is so much more than law school. Don't
take yourself too seriously.
7.
Watch out for putting too many obligations on your plate. (I'm being a
bit hypocritical right now but ignore that). It's great to be involved, but
don't let the student org obligations take as much time as your actual
classes, unless you like that vibe, then you do you.
8.
Move your body! Movement and exercise are helpful in preventing burnout
and can help you retain what you learn.
9.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. They happen. If you spend your time
trying to avoid them you will not have the opportunity to learn from them.
Ride the wave of embarrassment, shake it off, and learn.
10.
Organize. One of the hardest parts of law school is organizing and
prioritizing your obligations and readings. There will be days that you
cannot finish all of your readings, that is ok. Do what is the most
important and leave the rest. A bad cold call happens to us all and working
yourself to burnout will not prevent that.
Any questions, concerns, or topics that you’d like some advice on, feel
free to submit them here
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAqNgKEby8bdtoGJcXV6fRwYDX51qRnYgyxJEhcTgovMeKCw/viewform>!
You’ll get real advice, and maybe some memes for your situation.
Resources
Crisis Resources <https://counseling.umn.edu/crisis-services>
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
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Call 988
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Text ‘MN’ 741741
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Chat Online <https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/>
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Call any time, for any reason
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Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis - dial 988
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Options for Deaf & Hard of Hearing - for TTY users: use your preferred
relay service or dial 711 then 988.
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Veterans Crisis Line - dial 988 then press 1
Sand Creek 24/7 Phone Counseling
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651-430-3383 or 888-243-5744
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If asked, say LCL referred you
NAMI Ramsey County Book Club
<https://www.namiramseycounty.org/bookclub.html>
Join NAMI Ramsey County on the first Thursday of each month to discuss
books with a mental illness theme. Learn through compassionate
conversation. See which book they’re reading at
namiramseycounty.org/bookclub.
NAMI Educational Courses
<https://namimn.org/education-and-public-awareness/classes/https-namimn-org-education-and-public-awareness-classes-all-scheduled-classes/>
NAMI offers numerous educational courses for a wide variety of audiences,
all relating to mental health. Check out their current schedule to find a
course that looks interesting to you! (Practically all the courses are
free!)
WBI has created a Resources Page on our website
<https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wbi/resources> where law students can
always go to find support.
UMN Law Well-Being Initiative
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READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE <https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wbi/home>
<https://www.facebook.com/umnWBI/?ref=page_internal>
<https://www.instagram.com/petsofmondale/>
<https://open.spotify.com/user/aw9l8e839jqj0qt6zyqvyjo3v?si=mJCQMIuUR1SqXZAyPwtChQ>Current
Contacts
Alex Jones - [log in to unmask]
Ali Casey - [log in to unmask]
Luke Srodulski - [log in to unmask]
Ray Mestad - [log in to unmask]
Kayla Haeg - [log in to unmask]
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