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."
In addition to the support provided by the Center for Student Wellness, Boston College Law School offers programming and resources specific to the experience of law students, which are listed below.
A number of BC Law offices and organizations put on wellness related programs each semester. Please visit MyBC for a full list of upcoming events (please note: sign in with BC credentials is required to view all events for the community). 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.
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). During the Fall 2022 Semester, it will be offered on Fridays from 1:00-2:15pm between October 4-28. 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. Upcoming events include:
- A virtual introductory session on September 8, 2022 at 12pm EST
- Mindful Monday on September 12, 2022 at 3pm EST in celebration of World Mindfulness Day
Zoom Meditation: Weekly drop-in meditation sessions during the common lunch period. Contact Filippa Marullo Anzalone for more information.
Impact Blog/Just Law Podcast Mental Health Series: BC Law's student run blog and podcast recently launched a mental health series specific to the legal profession. Read the blog posts from alumni, and listen to the latest episodes here.
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 or the City of Boston’s Food Justice website.
Financial Wellness: Emergency funds are available for students in urgent need. If you feel in need of help, please contact your faculty advisor or Academic and Student Services.
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 also seek assistance in getting outside referrals.
Students may access individual counseling on the Newton Campus once a week, or may set up appointments with clinicians at University Counseling Services main campus location at Gasson Hall Suite 001, (140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467).
Note: To access services on the Newton campus, students should call 617-552-3310 and ask for an appointment with the Newton campus clinician.
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.
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.