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.

Apply Here!
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVj31fHzcvK_29EZf-m6qK_ZulLbqIq6gGPmq9rjY21__bHQ/viewform>

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
<https://umn.zoom.us/j/99856551308?pwd=NzJnWUtHUFN6TjUwSTd2YU9vUncyQT09>.

Register Here <https://forms.gle/Ctfc7g5UL6Yw5DYd8>


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
<https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesota-support-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

Vacation - Dirty Heads <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zok9co_8E4>

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 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEmt1Znux58>- A quick
breathing technique.

Five Senses- <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VMIEmA114> A mindfulness
grounding technique

Eat the Frog- <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKZhR8hTzRo> 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
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1anKIk6flI3DTzW_m6yEKOXMoQmoZc57SVj7g4Ux6qqY/edit?usp=sharing>!
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.
<https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesota-support-groups/>

"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
   <https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/face-coverings>.


Let’s Talk  <https://counseling.umn.edu/LetsTalk>

   -

   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.


Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers <https://www.mnlcl.org>

   -

   LCL offers resources on substance use and compulsive behaviors, mental
   illness, stress, and well-being
   -

   Support Groups <https://www.mnlcl.org/support-groups/#adhd_support>
   -

      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
   <https://www.mnlcl.org/services/counseling/> at 651-430-3383 or
   888-243-5744
   -

      If asked, say you were referred by LCL


Boynton Mental Health
<https://boynton.umn.edu/clinics/boynton-mental-health>

   -

   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.

   -

   Types of Mental Health Professionals
   <https://www.mhanational.org/types-mental-health-professionals>
   -

   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>

   -

   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


Fast Tracker  <https://fasttrackermn.org/>

   -

   Search tool for mental health and substance use disorder resources in
   Minnesota


Crisis Resources <https://counseling.umn.edu/crisis-services>

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

   -

   1-800-273-8255
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   Text ‘MN’ 741741
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   Chat Online <https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/>
   -

   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
<https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wbi/resources> where law students can
always go to find support.


UMN Law Well-Being Initiative
[log in to unmask]

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
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]

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