Library Blog

Law School Mental Health Day

"You are doing your best." With a smiling star.

In the spirit of personal well-being and global mental health, the American Bar Association has joined the World Health Organization in recognizing October 10th as a day for mental health, specifically for law students. Law Student Mental Health Day is an important yearly reminder to take a breath and a step back from your day-to-day schedule. This is the perfect opportunity to slow down, if only for a few hours, and reevaluate your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Inspired by the motto of the library’s latest staff retreat, here is a personal step-by-step guide for law students and professionals alike. Let’s get REAL!

  1. Reflect
    1. What do you enjoy most about your work (job, school, etc.)? 
    2. What do you dislike?
    3. What have you done since the start of the semester to relieve stress?
  2. Embrace
    1. What are you most excited about for the rest of the semester?
    2. What are some changes you wish to see?
    3. What personality trait of yours do you want to embrace?
  3. Applaud
    1. What have you done recently that you are proud of?
  4. Learn
    1. Are there certain things you can start (or stop) doing to make this year easier?
    2. What is one activity you can do at least once a week to take a break from school and clear your mind? 
      1. Ex: walk the seashell path, grab a meal with a friend, read, go somewhere you’ve never been before

Your career goals, the courses you’re taking, and the work you’re doing to succeed are all admirable and amazing feats. However, it is vital to remember that the most important thing at the end of the day is YOU. Take care of yourselves. To quote RWU student Amanda Walsh from her poem featured at this past year’s Poetry Walk, your headspace is your “soul’s forever home.” This is why it is so important to make sure you care for your mind and are kind to yourself.

Listed below are helpful resources to kickstart your wellness. There are many offered by the university and are available to you right here on campus, such as the Counseling Center.           To schedule an initial remote appointment, call 401-254-3124. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Visit the Stress Management LawGuide (linked below) to explore other resources on campus, including details about helpful books available to you in the library and reflective spaces at RWU! 

University Resources

Outside Resources

Simply put, it doesn’t matter which method or resources you choose to use. What matters is that you do something to take care of yourself and honor mental health day. You deserve a break. And if you didn’t already know this, you are doing amazing!

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