Health, Wellness & Support Services

Message from the Associate Dean

The Faculty of Law regards it as a priority that the learning and social environment at Western Law be as comfortable as possible. We understand the pressures that students are under because we, as faculty, have all experienced it. That is why a primary focus of our Student Services Office is to ensure that individual students' concerns are dealt with promptly, effectively and fairly. Yet we also understand that, despite our best efforts, some students still suffer adverse effects in terms of their physical and mental health. With this in mind, my predecessor as Associate Dean (Academic), Michael Lynk, developed this web page to assist students in finding the resources they need to help cope when the stresses of academic life seem overwhelming. It is difficult to improve upon the words he used when the page was instituted, so I reporduce them here.

Prof. Craig Brown
Associate Dean (Academic)

"We pride ourselves at Western Law for our strong sense of community, our openness and the support that we can count on from each other. Out of all of our many strengths as a law school, this is one of our most valued qualities.  But even at a nurturing and supportive law school like Western, you will face your share of stress, anxiety and emotional challenges arising from your studies and your personal lives.

As law students and aspiring lawyers, your emotional wellness and mental health should never be taken for granted.  You are planning for a career in an important knowledge industry, and your mental well-being is integral to your ability to perform well professionally and to be happy in your personal life.

For some of you, the pressures of law school and life will result in more than just the usual levels of anxiety. As in other professions, depression, addictions, mood disorders and other mental illnesses have become part of our lives as law students, lawyers and legal academics. The chances are good that someone you know at Western Law suffers from one of these conditions. The chances are also good that someone you know is suffering needlessly because he or she doesn’t recognize the tell-tale symptoms, or doesn’t know how to get help, or thinks that help isn’t really needed. There is a chance that it could be you.

We have developed this website as a tool to stay well, and as a tool to learn what to do if you think you, or someone you know, might be suffering from a mood disorder. Keeping our mind healthy is just as important as keeping the rest of our body healthy. Discovering that you might be suffering from a mood disorder is not a personal weakness or something to be ashamed of. It happens to many of us in the legal profession, and the best response is to become as aware as you can of the issue, stay as healthy as you can, and to know when to seek medical help when you need to.

Prof. Michael Lynk
Associate Dean, Academic"

Why Health and Wellness?

Not so terribly long ago I walked the halls of Western Law as a student. Despite my advancing age, I still have a good recollection of the challenges I faced and the rewards I reaped during my legal education. One thing I remember particularly vividly is running the gauntlet of curricular, extra-curricular and personal pursuits and the toll that it occasionally took on me. As a student, I sometimes wondered, “How did I get into law school in the first place. I’m not sure I should be here.”

Over the years, I’ve learned that this “imposter syndrome” is not altogether uncommon among law students, which is really quite surprising when you think about it. There’s no question that law students are an impressive bunch of intelligent, high achieving individuals, so why are we often so hard on ourselves?

I don’t profess to have the answer to that vexing question, but I have come to believe that there are many things law students can do to combat the imposter syndrome, alleviate stress and anxiety, and become the healthy, successful professionals that they are capable of being. To that end, we’ve gathered together information and resources in the following pages that we encourage you to use to help you make your time at Western Law healthy, balanced and successful. Better yet, take the information and resources with you throughout your legal career and your life beyond law school!

Mysty Clapton
Student Services Officer

Message from the Careers Office

Having been a commercial litigator for almost ten years I understand first hand what a rewarding yet challenging career law can be.  The work is very intellectually satisfying and the opportunity to resolve clients’ issues gratifying, but if you are not careful the practice can consume you.  With the business structure primarily based on the “billable hour” there is always pressure to work longer hours and at times client demands can be overwhelming. The secret to a long and successful career in the legal profession is to learn how to achieve balance to the extent possible and make a commitment early on to maintain your interests outside of work. There will always be another file, another client to service. Leading a healthy, balanced life and taking care of yourself will not only make you a more productive lawyer but lead to greater career satisfaction.

Robyn Marttila
Director, Career & Professional Development Office