WBI Weekly Digest
Well-Being Wednesday
If you missed last week’s "Meet LCL and the Minnesota Board of Law Examiners" lunchtime event, we’ve got you covered. Do you have concerns about character and fitness issues that might come up when you’re applying for admission to the bar? Don’t let them stress you out. Instead, get ahead of them.
When should you address your issues? As soon as you can. The Minnesota Board of Law Examiners (BLE) wants people to be proactive and is focused on conduct — particularly how likely you are to repeat your conduct. If there is a pattern of behavior, the BLE will want to know what you are doing now to address that issue. For example, if underage drinking leads to disorderly conduct and eventually a DUI, the BLE will want an explanation of how you will prevent this conduct from recurring. Their main concern is whether conduct is going to affect your ability to practice.
What do you need to disclose? For starters, your criminal, debt, employment, and litigation history. The important thing to know is that if you are being proactive and handling issues, boards will likely not be concerned. For instance, if you are steadily paying off your student loans, don’t worry. On the other hand, unfiled taxes and unpaid child support will raise questions. All that said, you should err on the side of disclosing information.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) is here to help! They can walk you through requirements for disclosure. Be aware, though, that they can’t give you legal advice on your particular situation.
What other conduct does the BLE care about? Really, anything that affects your ability to practice. There does not need to be ill intent or a criminal aspect to it. Missing class for a month could be concerning for the BLE if there’s no explanation behind it. That’s why it’s best to be proactive and make sure you have documentation explaining these potential conduct issues.
What if I don’t plan to practice in Minnesota? You should look at the bar application for the jurisdiction in which you plan to practice as soon as you can. There’s a good chance there will be subtle differences in questions, and you will want to know how you can proactively address them.
What can I do right now? Get in touch with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers about getting ahead of these issues. The BLE will NEVER ask LCL for guidance on applicants and will NEVER ask if a bar applicant worked with LCL. LCL, to its own credit, will NEVER share information with the BLE. Your conversations with them will be completely confidential. Just be aware that this could differ in other jurisdictions.
Also, see below for the student-run “Character and Fitness” Wellness Group on Fridays.
Most importantly, be proactive! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are concerned about access to resources and services.
NAMI Connections Group for Law Students
The NAMI Connections 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
Oct 10, Oct 24, Nov 14, Nov 28, Dec 12
Where: Remote; https://umn.zoom.us/j/97566449394
Meeting ID: 975 6644 9394
This group is confidential. It is not therapy.
Click here to see other NAMI Connection Groups offered in Minnesota.
"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.
What: Let’s Talk Counselor in Mondale Hall
Who: Ms. Kifaya Bishop, Multicultural Counselor from Student Counseling Services
When: Every Monday from 1-3pm
Where: N20 in the Wellness Room
No appointment necessary. Drop in.
LCL offers resources on substance use and compulsive behaviors, mental illness, stress, and well-being
LCL offers free counseling through Sand Creek for any issue that causes stress or distress.
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])
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
Group Therapy at Boynton Health
Understanding Self and Others for Graduate Students
Group Leader: Emily Price, PsyD, LP, (she/her)
Tuesdays | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | September 20th - December 6th
Understanding Self and Others for Black Students
Group Leader: Nomcebo Gugu Nkosi, LPCC (she/her)
Wednesdays | 1:00-2:30 p.m. | September 21st - December 14th
To join a group, contact Boynton at 612-624-1444. All groups take place in Boynton’s East Bank Clinic.
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
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call 988
Text ‘MN’ 741741
Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis - dial 988
Options for Deaf & Hard of Hearing - for TTY users: use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Veterans Crisis Line - dial 988 then press 1
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
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 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 where law students can always go to find support.
UMN Law Well-Being Initiative
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