The Texas Bar Foundation recently awarded Baylor Law a grant of $6,500 to implement comprehensive and consistent mental health and wellness programming at the Law School, a press release states.
With assistance from the Texas Bar Foundation, under the banner of ‘Mind, Body, and Spirit,’ Baylor Law will execute a multi-faceted program to better support the mental health and wellness of its students.
“We know that national data shows that the levels of depression, anxiety, and substance use for law students and lawyers is startlingly high,” noted Baylor Professor of Law Bridget Fuselier. “At Baylor Law, we want to undertake serious efforts to bring these issues into the open and have honest conversations with our students. We want to normalize mental health and wellness for our future professionals so that they are equipped to have an ethical and impactful career helping others.”
Funding from the Texas Bar Foundation will allow Baylor Law and its Student Wellness Organization to implement impactful and educational presentations and workshops that target students’ overall wellbeing. Throughout the academic year, there will be panel discussions during each new student orientation, quarterly professional development programming focused on wellness, weekly group workout options, daily activities during the American Bar Association (ABA) Law Student Division and ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs’ Law Student Wellness Week, and observance and celebration of National Mental Health Awareness Month. Baylor Law will also join with mental health advocates, suicide prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members to promote suicide prevention awareness, with particular emphasis on National Suicide Prevention Month each September.
“Baylor Law is grateful for the Texas Bar Foundation’s generous support of our mental health and wellness initiatives,” stated Stephen Rispoli, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, adding, “Every law student should feel confident in seeking assistance or availing themselves of the wellness resources that Baylor University, the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, and the ABA offer. In order to do good, we must be doing well. Taking care of ourselves allows us to serve our families, friends, clients, and community.”
Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $23 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably funded bar foundation.