The attorney mentioned in the article went on to establish a self-help group and website targeted towards lawyers and law students who are seeking support within the field on mental health issues. Although at first, the attorney was reprimanded by his firm for the postings, he has now had a 15 percent increase in client requests in the past year. Many in the field are now applauding him for his courage to speak out about such a taboo topic.

If you are interested in learning more about how the legal profession is taking a stand to support those with mental health issues or are yourself seeking a support group for depression or anxiety, I encourage you to check out the website www.lawyerswithdepression.com.

If you wish to discuss the implications of depression or anxiety, or just want a local support, please feel free to stop by my office in Student Affairs. I would be more than happy to hear your comments or thoughts about this challenging topic. If you wish to make an appointment, please email me at wnobles2@ufl.edu, or call my office at 352-273-0633. My office hours are Tuesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday 1-4 p.m., and Thursday 1-5 p.m.. I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy semester and look forward to working with you.

by Whitney F. Nobles, Resource Counselor

Welcome back to those returning and a warm welcome to the incoming students. Last year I had the pleasure of working with some of you and meeting students within the law school. For those of you who are new or I have not met, I thought that I would take some time at the beginning of the year to explain the role of a resource counselor and a little bit about the counseling field.

What does the law school resource counselor do?

As a resource counselor, I am here to listen to any emotional, mental, or personal problems that you might be having. It is not unusual for students to feel stressed or anxious during the school year, and these are some examples of problems in which you might seek my assistance. Many students last year expressed concerns about seeking assistance from the resource counselor based on a fear that there would be a lack of confidentiality. My services as a counselor are not shared to any member of the staff unless permission has been given or an extreme circumstance arises (i.e., harm to self or others). I encourage you to seek help for any situation that you are having difficulty managing, no matter how great or small. No instance of anxiety, depression, or like problems will be disclosed to anyone. These discussions will have no bearing on one’s ability to gain employment or insurance based on what is discussed within the law school or particularly with the resource counselor. Additionally, if there is discomfort from any student about meeting within the law school, other arrangements to meet elsewhere can be made.

What is counseling?

Mental health professionals practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs, and substance abuse treatment centers. Mental health counselors provide a full range of services including crisis management, psychotherapy, alcoholism, and substance abuse treatment, in addition to many others. However, counselors, such as a resource counselor, have no formal training in curriculum management, advising on school related issues, or career services. There is staff in place to assist you in these matters, namely the assistant deans and career services office.

Ethical standards

Counseling professionals abide by a strict code of ethics and laws that regulate their practice. At any time, you have the right to access your records or refuse services. Additionally, ethical codes state that, “Mental health counselors have a primary obligation to safeguard information about individuals obtained in the course of practice, teaching, or research. Personal information is communicated to others only with the person’s written consent or in those circumstances where there is clear and imminent danger to the client, to others or to society. Disclosure of counseling information is restricted to what is necessary, relevant and verifiable.” Therefore, ethically, your rights as a client are protected.

What are my qualifications?

I hope that this clarifies any misgivings of the work that is done with the resource counselor or any recommending staff. I am also a Nationally Board Certified Counselor and if I can not help you I would be more than happy to assist you in finding the appropriate person to support you in your specific situation.

How do you contact me?

Please feel free to email me at noblesw@law.ufl.edu with any questions that you might have or to set up an appointment. My office is located in student affairs and is the first office on the right. I encourage walk-in appointments as well as those scheduled ahead of time. My office hours this semester are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-5, however if these do not fit your schedule I will be more than happy to make outside arrangements. I look forward to meeting and talking with you soon.

 So why is sleep important and why do we need so much of it? Many students cut back on sleep to finish ever mounting piles of homework, but it could be a self-defeating strategy. Harvard Medical School researchers have found that people who stay up all night after learning and practicing a new task show little improvement in their performance. The study also suggests that no amount of sleep on the follow ing two nights can make up for the toll taken by the initial all-nighter.

 Lack of sleep has also been linked to poor school performance, difficulty consolidating memories, a shorter life span, and even increased weight gain. Sleep deprivation causes hormonal changes that can lead to an increase in weight and a slower metabolism. Researchers have also found that adults need at least eight hours of sleep to function at their highest potential. Even if you feel that you can get less sleep and still have high levels of performance, this is not the case.

Although we are not sure why we need sleep, multiple studies have shown the importance of a good night’s rest, especially for students. An interesting fact is that in dream sleep the brain is actually very active. No one is sure exactly what dreams accomplish, but some experts believe that dreaming is actually some kind of “cleansing” process. Other sleep researchers think that dreams serve the function of helping to reorganize and store psychological information taken in during the day.

Lack of sleep clearly affects our thinking. For example, we can per- form calculations, but not as quickly. We’re much more likely to make errors. Sleep deprivation also affects us physically. Our coordination suffers and we lose our ability to do things with agility. Additionally, sleep improves muscle tone and skin appearance. Consider sleep as part of your overall wellness. Don’t feel guilty, you are doing yourself a favor.

Some tips to try to promote restful sleep:

• No reading or watching TV in bed. These are waking activities. Go to bed when you’re sleepy-tired, not when it’s time to go to bed by habit.

• Start slowing down during the second half of the evening before bedtime. Ninety minutes before bed, don’t get involved in any kind of anxiety provoking activities or thoughts.

• Do some breathing exercises or try to relax major muscle groups, starting with the toes and ending with your forehead.

• Your bed is for sleeping; if you can’t sleep after 15-20 minutes, get up and do something relaxing.

• Have your room cool rather than warm.

• Don’t count sheep, counting is stimulating.

• Exercise in the afternoon or early evening, but no later than three hours before bedtime.

• Don’t over-eat, and eat 2-3 hours before bedtime.

• Don’t nap during the day.

• If you awake in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep within 30 minutes, get up and do something else.

• Listen to calming music

Seen as some of the world’s leading scholars, law students lead in other less desirable categories as well. According to recent publications ( Behavioral sciences adn the Law, 2004, and Legal Reference Services Quarterly, 2005) law students are leading the pack in many of mental health’s most troubling issues.

The Legal Profession Assistance Conference reported that the general population suicide rate in Canada and the United States is in the range of 10-14 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. The study also showed the rate of death by suicide for law students is nearly six times that of the general population. Surprisingly, suicide kills more people in the United States each year than homicide. Additionally, a Johns Hopkins study found lawyers have the highest incidence of major depressive disorder among 104 occupational groups

Although law students start out little different from students in other professional fields and the general population, soon after law school commences they report large increases in psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, hostility, and paranoia.

Just knowing this information does little to solve the problem. Even hough you might not be experiencing these difficulties or noticing a difference in yourself, I would venture to say that others around you might be struggling. Many students find it difficult to juggle the many challenges that law school presents and find themselves in a mental state where they never expected to be. Additionally, life does not stop happening around you just because you are in school. External factors and concerns for your friends and family might be the last straw in “keeping it all together.”

When it seems like life is unbearable, you don’t have to go through it alone. Pay attention to both your behaviors and those of your friends. An increase in drinking, substance abuse, irregular sleeping patterns, and risk-taking behaviors are all signs that something could be wrong. Seeking out the appropriate help is a must. I am available to discuss any issue with you at anytime. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to admit that you are feeling less like yourself. You are not alone.

Check out the articles available online at www.haworthpress.com/web/LRSQ and www.interscience.wiley.com. You can also call the Alachua County Crisis Center, 24 hours a day, at 264-6789.

• Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

• Do you feel that your eating habits have changed or become abnormal?

• Are there days when it is difficult to get out of bed?

• Do you ever have thoughts of harm to yourself or others?

• Do you feel that life is “enveloping” you?

• Do you get nervous or have a racing heart beat when you think of all you have to do?

• Do you ever have trouble staying focused on one topic or paying attention in class?

• Have you ever lied to your friends or family about the amount that you drink?

• Do you feel that you will never live up to other’s expectations of you?

• Do you ever have racing thoughts or feel that life is overwhelming?

• Can you remember the last time you took a day off?

• Do you ever feel like giving up or have lasting moments of selfdoubt?

At the risk of sounding cliché, if you answered yes to three or more of these questions consider talking to someone about how you are doing. No matter how hard we try or think we are weak for having life difficulties, other people struggle to manage what life has given them as well.

Don’t feel embarrassed to ask for help, it could make a huge difference in your happiness and levels of success. Feel free to stop by my office Monday-Wednesday or make an appointment. My office is located in Student Affairs and my e-mail address is Wnobles2@law.ufl.edu. Have a great week and remember to take time for yourself!

Many students have expressed concerns about seeking assistance from the resource counselor based on a fear that confidentiality will be breached. Services rendered by the resource counselor are not shared to any member of the staff unless permission has been given or an extreme circumstance arises (i.e., harm to self or others).

I encourage you to seek help for any situation that you are having difficulty managing, no matter how great or small. No instance of anxiety, depression, or like problems will be disclosed to anyone. These discussions will have no bearing on one’s ability to gain employment or insurance based on what is discussed within the law school or particularly with the resource counselor.

Mental health professionals practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs, and substance abuse treatment centers. Mental health counselors provide a full range of services including crisis management, psychotherapy, alcoholism, and substance abuse treatment, in addition to many others.

However, counselors, such as a resource counselor, have no formal training in curriculum management, advising on school related issues, or career services. There is staff in place to assist you in these matters, namely the assistant deans and career services office.

Counseling professionals abide by a strict code of ethics and laws that regulate their practice. At any time, you have the right to access your records or refuse services. Additionally, the law states that, “Mental health counselors have a primary obligation to safeguard information about individuals obtained in the course of practice, teaching, or research.

“Personal information is communicated to others only with the person’s written consent or in those circumstances where there is clear and imminent danger to the client, to others or to society. Disclosure of counseling information is restricted to what is necessary, relevant and verifiable.” Therefore, by law, your rights as a client are protected.

I hope that this clarifies any misgivings of the work that is done with the resource counselor or any recommending staff. Please feel free to email me at noblesw@law.ufl.edu with any questions that you might have to set up an appointment. I look forward to meeting and talking with you soon.

Networking

Networking is an organized method of making links from the people you know to the people they know. Basically, it means to exchange information, advice, contacts or support. Networking is a process of building relationships that can be crucial to building a career or friendships. Most often it is not only important to know about your career interests, but also to know those who work within your area of specialty. People frequently get jobs through people they know and the connections that they can make. Many people hesitate to contact others for fear of imposing or asking for help. The reality is that most people are happy to do something for someone else, if asked.

How to Begin

The important elements of networking can be summed up in four simple steps: 1.Contact the person, 2. Follow up after your meeting, 3. Take the suggested action steps, 4. Follow up with the contact regularly. If the contact welcomes the initial networking meeting and it goes well, they will want to hear about your progress. Remember that networking is a give-and-take process; offer any contacts you have and back up this offer with action. You are in a great position to network based on the law program that you are in. Alumni like to help students from their program. Even if you don’t work with the alum, they might know someone to match you up with. So don’t hesitate to contact people from your area that might have attended your law program or undergraduate institution.

Professionalism

Robert Ball, the author of Professionalism Is For Everyonel: Five Keys to being a true Professional, says about professionalism that, “When you choose to be professional, you are leaving mediocrity and apathy behind. You are embarking on a lifelong journey of continual growth and the pursuit of excellence.” Poor professionalism can undo all of your networking hard efforts. Additionally, people want to work with co-workers that they are not embarassed to introduce to other businesses. Presented below is a list of do’s and don’ts of professionalism. Remember that you not only represent yorself, but also your school or business when it comes to being a profesional.

Please feel free to stop by my office for more ideas and resources on networking and professionalism. Also, joining clubs and associations within the university and the law school are great ways to kick off your networking and professional skills.

Professionalism and Networking Do’s and Don’ts:

• Don’t talk about inappropriate topics in the office or with staff

• Don’t dress like you are attending a friend’s social event when professionalism is called for

• Don’t overdo it. Be yourself

• Do act like an adult

• Do become interested in topics being discussed

• Do continue to meet people

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help