With Halloween approaching, the last week of October is a celebration. However, this celebration should not overshadow the fact that October is mental health awareness month, and the awareness is far from over. Within the legal community, students and professionals balance the complexities of work, family, friends, and, most of all, themselves. Finding a stable balance is of the utmost importance to ensure success and well-being.
For instance, consider the snowball effect. The snowball effect is the process by which small actions or events can build up momentum and become much larger and more significant over time, like a snowball rolling down a hill. Just as the snowball starts off small and harmless, it can quickly add up, as a few missed classes and skipped assignments can pile up into an avalanche of stress at exam time. Students need to learn how to manage their time and energy efficiently to avoid this avalanche.
Being able to operate within a controlled environment is incredibly important to the law school journey. Overcoming the stress that accompanies the rigorous grind of law school is no easy task. It’s easy to fall down a dark path of substance abuse and mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and drug addiction, so we must be mindful of how this journey impacts our lives. With support from the American Bar Association (ABA), resources such as the Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs videos, State-by-State Lawyer Assistance Program, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Crisis Test Line, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous are available and posted on the ABA’s website.
One of the first things we as students heard on the first day of orientation was you 1L year, they will scare you. In your second year, they will overwork you. In the third year, you will be ready to get out of school.
With that in mind, here are five things we can do to enhance our mental health for the positive. First, build a solid support system through connecting with family, friends, or fellow peers to help boost mutual support. Second, engage in physical activities to boost mood and reduce stress. Third, pick up a new hobby to give your mind a break from the usual grind. Fourth, schedule breaks to make time for relaxation and recharge. Fifth, prioritize your mental well-being by speaking to professionals if needed.
The need to prioritize our mental well-being must not be neglected. Finding a stable balance through this new chapter of life will come with some uncertainties; however, the journey is not traveled alone. So, stay connected, embrace a growth mindset, and adjust new routines for the better!
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