It is the mission of ASU Law to support its students’ mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing and health throughout their time here and beyond. We do this by providing an environment in which wellness is prioritized, valued, and integrated into the daily life of our students. On this page, you will find a variety of resources to assist you in your wellness journey that apply specifically to lawyers and those practicing law.
Wellness at ASU Law
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
World Health Organization
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ASU Counseling Services
All services at ASU Counseling Services are confidential and free of charge for ASU students attending any of the four metropolitan Phoenix campuses, including Open Call and Open Chat. ASU Counseling Services are for any Sun Devil, regardless of your race, gender, sexual orientation, age, student status, religion, ability, size, financial situation, the issue you're dealing with or whether you've had counseling before. Something as simple as talking to someone can help you feel better, improve your grades and manage stress.
If you are having an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Same day tele-mental health consults
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Appointments available by telephone or HIPAA-compliant tele-mental health consult sessions. If you are outside of Arizona, please give us a phone call at 480-965-6146.
Same day in person consults
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We recognize that some issues can only be served in person. While we are prioritizing care through tele-mental health, we remain available to see students who should be seen in person. If you are at risk of harming yourself or someone else, if you have experienced a trauma, or an unexpected loss, please give us a call at 480-965-6146.
After hours support
OPEN CALL AND OPEN CHAT
Confidential, same-day emotional health and well-being support for ASU students available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere in the world, at no cost.
EMPACT
ASU’s dedicated 24-hour dedicated crisis line is available outside of normal business hours and on holidays and weekends. Although EMPACT is intended for crisis support, you don’t necessarily have to be in crisis to call. You may just need guidance on how to handle a concern about a student or friend or need a helpful resource. EMPACT is staffed by highly qualified, helpful professionals that are there to help, call 480-921-1006.
Academic Success Program
We know life doesn’t stop happening while you’re in law school.
Academic Success at ASU Law is here to help all students be successful in their studies. Your professors and TAs will help you with the subject matter of your course; we are here to help you with the skills you need in every class. The program offers tutors and mentorship from upper-level law students to help you with time management, study plans, outlines, exam preparation and more. Students interested in help can sign up for a single session with a tutor, additional sessions as needed, coaching, workshops, and tutor bar events. If you’re behind or struggling, please don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Interfaith and Meditation Room
An interfaith and meditation room is located on the first floor of Beus Center for Law and Society behind the W. P. Carey Foundation Armstrong Great Hall in room 145. Students are welcome to use this space whenever the building is open, and it can provide a safe and relaxing place to unwind after a hard day.
This room is provided to the ASU Law Community for quiet contemplation, meditation, reflection or prayer. We ask the users of the space to limit the use of electronics (cell phone, cameras, etc.) and refrain from the following:
- the use of food or drink in the space
- excessive noise and conversation
- scented products (perfumes, lotions or other scented personal care products)
- candle, incense, or any open/closed flame
- smoking or vaping
The room can be booked in 15 – 60 minute intervals and up to one week in advance.
Live Well at ASU
ASU’s Live Well Community is dedicated to supporting you in your health and wellbeing journey.
Improve and maintain your physical and emotional well-being by making healthy choices on a daily basis — from staying active and eating healthy to better sleep and routine health care, you can make the healthy choice.
Learn more about Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness.
- You’re in a pickle. Can a lawyer assistance program help? From the ABA Journal Asked and Answered Podcast: Bree Buchanan talks about how lawyers assistance programs work, and how a person can reach out for assistance. Listen here
- The State Bar of Michigan’s “On Balance” Podcast Series: Hosted by JoAnn Hathaway of the bar’s Practice Management Resource Center and Tish Vincent of its Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program, the series focuses on the need for interplay between practice management and lawyer-wellness for a thriving law practice. Listen here
- Attorney Mental Health and Wellness, from The Florida Bar Podcast: Larry Krieger expands on why attorneys often struggle with depression and the wellbeing factors that may lead to satisfaction in a legal career. Listen here
- ABA Midyear 2018: The ABA’s Opioid Summit, from the Legal Talk Network On the Road Podcast: Jack Young talks about why the ABA’s Opioid Summit is important and how it will help lawyers deal with the crisis both professionally and personally. Listen here
- Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession, from the Legal Talk Network On the Road Podcast: Jeff Kuester talks about functional alcoholism and why it’s important for lawyers to monitor their alcohol consumption. Listen here
- Voices of Recovery Podcast Series, from the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs: A podcast series about overcoming substance use disorders, mental health issues and addiction. The lawyers featured in this series have all agreed to tell their story in the hope that it will reduce the stigma surrounding these issues and encourage others to get the help they need. Listen here
- Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program Voices of Recovery and Stories of Recovery Podcast Series: A podcast where Texas attorneys discuss how they reclaimed their lives from substance abuse and mental health issues. We bring you these podcasts—and these lawyers are coming forward with their stories—to let members of the State Bar of Texas know that help is available and recovery is possible. Learn more
- Path to Well-Being in Law: Lawyer well-being catapulted to a national discussion in legal circles with the publication of The Path to Lawyer Well-Being Practical Recommendations for Positive Change in 2006 by The National Task Force of Lawyer Well-Being. What started as a discussion has evolved into a national movement intent on creating a culture shift within the legal profession geared toward greater personal and professional satisfaction. Listen here
Other ASU resources
- ASU Health Services
- ASU Health Insurance Information
- Mindfulness at ASU
- Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness
- Mindfulness in Law Society
- Emergency Financial Support and ASU Food Bank (Pitchfork Pantry)
- Religious and spiritual life
- Resources for Students with Families
- Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services (SAILS)
Community resources
- State Bar of Arizona-member assistance program
- American Bar Associate Mental Health Resources
- Legal Industry Mental Health Resources
- ABA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Toolkit
- The Other Bar, Supporting Recovery (from substance abuse) in the Legal Community
- The Sexual and Relationship Violence Program