WBI Weekly Digest
Take a Break!
Spring Break and the Benefits of a Vacation
While many of us want to use this week to get ahead and volunteer, it is important that we use this time to relax and reenergize. Taking time off for a vacation has incredible health benefits, such as stress reduction, heart disease prevention, improved productivity, and better sleep. While we live in a world and work in a career that is constantly racing each other, take some time now and later in life for yourself and enjoy a vacation.
Elections
We are looking for new board members to join our WBI Braintrust. Here you will handle the administrative duties, like recruitment, and work with our Sub-Committees to advance our goals and advocate our students concerns to the Law School Administration. We encourage as many people to apply and also join our sub-committees to advocate for well-being.
All you have to do is apply with a personal statement (100 word limit).
Elections will be held 03/14-03/18.
Lunch with Leaders
Our very own, Sarani Millican will be the speaker at Lunch with Leaders on March 4th, 2022 @ 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Lunch with Leaders is a series that connects the University of Minnesota community with U of M alumni and staff enacting leadership out in the world. In-Person at Bruininks Hall or on Zoom.
Personal
NAMI Connections Support Group for Law Students at Mondale Hall is CANCELED tonight (March 2nd). The program will resume on March 16th.
For those interested in another way to receive peer support this week, please take a look at this list of NAMI Connection groups occurring throughout the greater Twin Cities area! Groups are offered both in person and online.
Academic and Physical
Get ahead but mostly enjoy break and relax!
Song of the Week
Advice Column
This week feels heavy. Deadlines are hanging above my head. There is suffocating stress from external events and health concerns. And the light of Spring Break feels like it is teasing me. Here are three stress relieving tactic I have been relying on, perhaps they can help you too.
Slow down
I find that when I am stressed, I try to push through all of my duties as fast and I can. I talk faster and my mind races. Each moment blends together and I feel like I do not have enough time to do everything that I have committed to. It feels overwhelming. When I am able to notice this, I tell myself to SLOW DOWN. To do this I try to slow everything down- such as talking, breathing, moving, reading, writing. This is hard for me to do when I am in the middle of overwhelming stress, but it is helpful.
Get in this moment
This is related to number one, but it is separate. When you are stressed do you feel floaty and dissociative? I do. My brain sometimes disconnects from the present moment and goes on its own solo adventure. That doesn’t help me deal with the stress or workload, so instead I instruct myself to get back in this movement. To do this I find grounding techniques can help, like square breathing, five senses, and mindful tasks.
Square Breathing- A quick breathing technique.
Five Senses- A mindfulness grounding technique
Eat the Frog- Prioritize what is the most important task and aim to do that.
Move your body
When I am stressed one of the first things, I start ignoring is my workout routine. The discomfort and time commitment tend to be low on my priority list. I’d rather watch Criminal Minds or TikTok.
Yet, moving my body is a way to challenge my stress response and reset. So, when I am able to pull myself up and out of a slump, a workout tends to be helpful. Some of my favorites as a long walk, yoga YouTube videos, dancing, or workout games on the Switch. Variety works the best for me.
Sierra Grandy is a 1L with a passion for mental health and psychology. She likes to research productivity and positive psychology tricks in the little free time she has. She is honored to bring that research to you. Please fill out the Google form below or email [log in to unmask] if you seek *advice, resources, expanded explanations, or have a comment/ question. Law school is tough. You are not alone! (*not legal or medical advice)
Any questions, concerns, or topics that you’d like some advice on, feel free to submit them here! You’ll get real advice, and maybe some memes for your situation.
Resources
NAMI Connections Group for University of Minnesota Law Students
The NAMI Connection group offers peer-led support for law students living with mental health disorders who attend the University of Minnesota Law School.
NAMI Connection is a recovery support group for adults with a mental illness regardless of their diagnosis. 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.
This is a hybrid model. You can join in-person or via Zoom.
There is a 20 person limit. We still have plenty of room!
No need to register – simply show up!
Who: UMN law students living with mental illness
What: Peer-led support group!
When: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month; 5-6:30pm (CANCELED MARCH 2ND)
Where: Mondale Hall Room 475
This group is completely confidential. It is not therapy.
Click here to see other NAMI Connection Groups offered in Minnesota.
"Character and Fitness" Wellness Group
Held every Wednesday at 12:30 at Mondale Hall.
A student-run, safe, strictly confidential, judgment-free, 12-step based group welcomes anyone struggling with substance use or in recovery.
Hybrid meeting. Contact [log in to unmask] for room location and Zoom info, or other inquiries.
In-person attendees must wear a mask while inside the building; see UMN's Face Covering Protocol.
What: Let’s Talk Counselor in Mondale Hall
Who: Ms. Kifaya Bishop, Multicultural Counselor from Student Counseling Services
When: Every Monday from 9-11am
Where: N160 Student Affairs suite
No appointment necessary. Drop in.
LCL offers resources on substance use and compulsive behaviors, mental illness, stress, and well-being
ADD/ADHD Support Group: 2nd and 4th Fridays at noon via Zoom (Pre-Registration is required for this group)
Well-Being Group: Thursdays 12:00-1:00 via Zoom
Need assistance now? Call 651-646-5590 or 800-525-6466
For 24-hour phone counseling, call Sand Creek at 651-430-3383 or 888-243-5744
If asked, say you were referred by LCL
To schedule your first appointment, call 612-624-1444
Offering in-person and telehealth
Individual and couples therapy available (10-session-per-year limit for each type)
Eating disorder services, ADD/ADHD treatment, alcohol and chemical health services, and group therapy available
Looking for a Therapist?
Learn about the various types of mental health professionals and types of treatments available.
Psychology Today Find a Therapist Search Tool
Psychology Today is a great resource to find a therapist
Filter by specific location, accepted insurance, specialty, issues, age, gender, sexuality, language spoken, ethnicity, faith, and more
Search tool for mental health and substance use disorder resources in Minnesota
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Text ‘MN’ 741741
Call any time, for any reason
Sand Creek 24/7 Phone Counseling
651-430-3383 or 888-243-5744
If asked, say LCL referred you
Community Spaces - NEW!
Community Spaces is a new initiative at the law school! It is for anyone who is interested in getting together with other Minnesota Law students and building community.
Third Thursday of the Month from 12:15-1:15pm in Room 3
AND
Third Friday of the Month from 12:15-1:15pm Virtually (https://z.umn.edu/communityspaces)
Dates: March 17th & 18th; April 21st & 22nd
WBI has created a Resources Page on our website where law students can always go to find support.
UMN Law Well-Being Initiative
[log in to unmask]
Current Contacts
Annika Cushnyr - [log in to unmask]
Emily Moss - [log in to unmask]
Sarani Millican - [log in to unmask]
Alex Jones - [log in to unmask]
Ali Casey - [log in to unmask]
Luke Srodulski - [log in to unmask]