We realize that being a law student can be challenging at times. Boston College Law School is committed to offering students holistic support to promote overall well-being. Taking care of your physical wellbeing is also an important part of your professional duty to clients. A recent American Bar Association task force defined lawyer wellbeing as follows:
"We define lawyer well-being as a continuous process whereby lawyers seek to thrive in each of the following areas: emotional health, occupational pursuits, creative or intellectual endeavors, sense of spirituality and greater purpose in life, physical health, and social connections with others. Lawyer well-being is part of the lawyer’s ethical duty of competence. It includes a lawyer’s duty to make healthy, positive work-life choices…and maintaining their own long-term well-being."
A number of BC offices and organizations put on wellness related programs each semester. Please visit the events calender for a full list of upcoming events. In addition, the Law Student Association (LSA) advocates for health & wellness initiatives and oversees the Wellness Committee. To contact them, please email LSA@bc.edu.
The Reset: BC Law’s Student & Academic Services hosts a monthly wellness series called “The Reset”. This programming is scheduled towards the end of every month and is meant to encourage students to pause and “reset” before going into the next month. Keep an eye on the events calendar and the Monday Headlines email, and reach out to Emily Libby, Assistant Dean of Student and Academic Services, if you have “Reset” programming ideas or feedback.
Center for Student Wellness: BC’s Center for Student Wellness provides a variety of wellness programs, wellness coaches, and events to help students reflect on their personal wellness, develop skills to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle, and make informed, healthy choices. Programs include substance use prevention and support, mental health promotion, and trainings on suicide prevention in the community.
Law Library Resources: The Contemplation and Meditation Room (room 427) is open during Law Library hours for individual meditation and silent contemplation breaks. Three nap pods are also available on the Law Library's 3rd floor.
Mindfulness Courses: BC Law offers a semester-long for-credit course on Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices for Lawyers. The University offers a four week introductory Koru Mindfulness course (an evidence based program specifically designed for college and graduate students). Check the Boston College Events Calendar for upcoming sessions.
Mindfulness in Law Society Students Division: Membership is free for law students. More information about MILS can be found here.
Zoom Meditation: BC Law hosts weekly drop-in meditation sessions, which are available either in-person or over Zoom. Contact Filippa Marullo Anzalone at filippa.anzalone@bc.edu for more information.
WellTrack: A self-help app that students can use to address stress, anxiety, and depression before these issues get to the point of needing therapy or other mental health services. Access for the Boston College community has been paid for by University Counseling Services. Some of the specific tools WellTrack offers are videos, relaxation exercises, mood tracking tools, and written exercises to help raise awareness and work on addressing unhelpful thought patterns. WellTrack is available online at welltrack.com.
Food Insecurity: For anyone experiencing food insecurity, check out the resources from the Newton Food Pantry City of Boston’s Food Justice website, or Project Bread.
Financial Wellness: Emergency funds are available for students in urgent need. If you feel in need of help, please contact your faculty advisor or Student and Academic Services. Students can take advantage of free financial coaching with MAX by AccessLex.
Wellness Coaching: Students can receive individual wellness coaching through BC’s Institute for Wellness Coaching to develop personal goals and strategies to improve health behaviors. The sessions are structured around the changes that you want to make in your life. Graduate coaches will support you in creating goals and strategies around topics like stress, sleep, time management, nutrition, social life, and more. Sessions are available in-person or virtually.
WellNest Hub on Newton Campus: This space is designed to provide a comfortable, stress-free, study-free area for students to gather in community or individually and practice self care in a variety of ways, as well as to receive mental health care resources. The WellNest Hub is located at 825 Centre St. and features a telehealth room, where students can reserve time for private virtual appointments, as well as space for yoga, meditation, or quiet reflection. There are coloring pages, snacks, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and Wellness kits filled with small wellness gifts and a resource card.
On-Campus Resources
Boston College University Counseling Services provides a full suite of counseling and support services to all Boston College students, including law students. These services include individual counseling & psychotherapy, group therapy, and a variety of other supports listed on their main website. Students may call 617-552-3310 to set up in-person or virtual appointments with clinicians at University Counseling Services (Gasson Hall Suite 001, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467).
Counseling on Newton Campus
Rachel Reisman, LICSW, from University Counseling Services (UCS), is available for appointments on the Newton Campus every Tuesday from 8:45am - 4:45pm. To make an appointment or check availability for a same day consult, call 617-552-3310. Rachel will be located at 825 Centre Street, Suite 114 (1st floor).
Getting Urgent Help
If there is an urgent clinical/personal crisis, students can go to Counseling Services on the same day to meet with the psychological emergency clinician (PEC).
- During their working hours (8:45AM–4:00PM, Monday–Friday), students can call 617–552–3310 or go to University Counseling Services (Gasson Hall Suite 001, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467).
- Students who have an urgent problem after hours should call 617-552-3310, press option 2 and ask to speak with the PEC who is not on campus.
- Students who are on campus and have a life-threatening emergency, should call the Boston College Police at 617–552–4444. Students who are off campus and have a life-threatening emergency should call 911.
Referrals
Students may also seek assistance in getting outside referrals. BC’s Counseling Services office can provide referrals based on students’ longer term goals and preferences. Students who have BC’s health insurance will not have to pay any co-pay or deductible for any in-network providers.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please dial 911.
Off-Campus Resources
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Inc. (LCL) is a confidential counseling and referral resource for lawyers and current law students. LCL offers help for alcohol and drug abuse, stress, depression, work, family, marital issues, mental health and other personal issues.
The Danielsen Institute provides confidential counseling for individuals, couples, partners, families and groups. The Danielsen Institute has a sliding scale fee structure.
Psychology Today provides a web-based database where students can search for therapists across a number of search criteria, including types of therapy, issues, and what insurance providers will accept.
AALS offers a list of other resources, including websites, books and articles, and video content for law school administrators and students.
AFSP mental health resources are focused on supporting individuals in marginalized communities.
While in law school, maintaining your physical health and well-being can be just as important as caring for your mind. There are many ways in which law students can take a break from academics and maintain an active lifestyle.
University Health Services
University Health Services strives to enhance the physical and psychological well-being of Boston College students by providing multifaceted health care services. Whether you have a health emergency, a concern about nutrition, or a bad case of the flu, you can expect excellent care dispensed by health professionals who are friendly, concerned, and accessible.
Medical services are comprehensive; but if you need specialty care, University Health Services will provide a referral. Through a special arrangement with Boston College Police, Health Services will also provide transportation to the hospital. University Health Services also work closely with University Counseling Services to assist students in crisis.
Services are accessible on weekdays, by appointment, at the Outpatient Medical Center; after hours, at the Inpatient Unit. The office number is 617–552–3225, and is located at 2150 Commonwealth Ave Building (entrance is located on St. Thomas More Road). More information regarding student insurance and specialty services can be found online.
Connell Recreation Center
The Margot Connell Recreation Center is a 244,000 square-foot, four-story structure on the Chestnut Hill campus that offers the BC community an inspired space to play, pursue sports, gather with friends and work out. This new facility includes a fitness center, rock climbing wall, jogging track, aquatics center, wood-floor basketball courts, tennis courts, multi-activity courts, multi-purpose rooms for spin, yoga, and fitness classes, and more.
Quonset Hut (Newton Campus): A membership in the Connell Recreation Center also provides access to the Quonset Hut, a smaller facility located on the Newton Campus next to the athletic field.
The Boston College community is here to support students who are parents or who are expecting a child. We understand that parenting in law school can be stressful, and we are here to help. There are many students who are or become parents while in law school, and there are several great BC Law Impact blog posts on the topic of juggling the challenges and joys of parenting while studying at BC Law.
If you or your partner is expecting a child, BC has many resources to assist you in continuing and completing your degree. Students who are expecting a child or are new parents are encouraged to meet with Emily Libby, Assistant Dean of Student & Academic Services at BC Law. Any student who is experiencing complications due to pregnancy, may want to reach out to Disability Services to learn about the accommodations process. Students are also welcome to stop by the BC’s Women's Center, located in Maloney 441 to look through their resources or talk with a staff member.
For new mothers, the Law School offers lactation rooms on Newton campus. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the Google form when booking a lactation room. These rooms can be found in Kenny Cottle, L121, and Stuart House, M525.
For those looking for childcare, the City of Newton has some helpful resources. In addition, local Facebook groups, such as “Newton Parents” or “Newton Babysitting” are often a good source of information. For family-related academic issues, such as extended absences or scheduling issues, reach out to Emily Libby, Assistant Dean of Student & Academic Services at the Law School. The full Law School Childbirth and Adoption Accommodation policy can be found here.