“Earlier this year I struggled and needed help. I honestly remembered being in orientation and the woman from the counseling center came to talk to us about staying sane and to be on the lookout for substance abuse. Because of that, I reached out and got the help I need.” - Cleveland-Marshall first-year student, Spring 2018
The recent tragic suicides of famed fashion designer Kate Spade and famed chef and television host, Anthony Bourdain, and the disturbing patterns of racial and sexual discrimination, and sexual harassment throughout our country have, once again, made me reflect about our obligations to each other and to our students, staff, and faculty ….especially our students.
Half of all college students report that in the past year, they felt stressed to the point at which they couldn’t function, and those are undergrads. We know the stress of law school is much higher.
My highest priority as Dean is not only our students’ first-class, quality legal education, but also their happiness, mental health, and well-being. That’s why I sent an email to all our students in April about the importance of connecting with the university’s mental health resources (listed again below).
It’s also why, despite a very safe campus and an excellent university police force, we have had a number of safety trainings, and why I formed Safety and Wellness Committees to help ensure that our students, staff, faculty, and visitors are as safe, healthy, and happy as possible.
The law school stereotype is that law school must be a grueling ordeal to adequately prepare students for legal practice. The stress on students’ mental and physical well-being has become an accepted rite of passage of law school life. But that should not be accepted.
The toll on students’ mental health is an obstacle to their success. If we are to hold true to the “unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness,” we have a responsibility to our students to do all we can to help them in that pursuit.
We are a law school that is student-centered. Here you will find open doors and open minds and a level of accessibility, support, encouragement, and interaction that many law schools don’t offer.
But good intentions are never enough. We must also be aware of our legal obligations and responsibilities.
The CSU Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) implements the CSU Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Violence, and Retaliation which states that all university employees, except “confidential resources,” who become aware of information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, or retaliation has occurred must promptly report all relevant details to the Office for Institutional Equity.
OIE will provide training to all our staff and faculty this summer so that we are more aware of our reporting obligations whenever we learn of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, or retaliation.
OIE educates the campus about these matters and investigates discrimination, harassment and sexual violence, provides information, problems solves, connects victims to resources for addressing the impact of these experiences, and provides academic and other accommodations (e.g., “No Contact Directives”, withdrawals without negative impact to GPA, extended deadlines, alternative living arrangements, incomplete grades, excused absences).
Please note that faculty and staff are never “confidential resources” who are excused from the reporting requirement. Rather, the only confidential resources on campus are the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, the ministry at the Trinity Lutheran Church, the counselors in the CSU Counseling Center, and the doctors and nurses in CSU Health & Wellness Services when providing medical care.
I want to encourage our students, staff, and faculty to reach out for support anytime. Although it's best to get help early, it's never too late to reach out for support.
Connect with these resources on campus or in the community:
Campus Resources:
CSU CARE Team -all referrals to the CARE Team should be sent to MagnusACTSnull@csuohio.nulledu
Counseling Center, Union Bldg, 220 - right across the street from the Law School: meet with a psychologist or doctoral student in Counseling Psychology for mental health or adjustment concerns. Call to schedule today: 216-687-2277.
- Therapy
- Crisis walk-in (Monday - Friday, 1:00 - 3:00)
- After-hours phone counseling
- Psychiatry for medication prescription
- Assessment for ADHD or Learning Disability
Counseling and Academic Success Clinic (CASC), MC 215D: meet with a master's student in Clinical Mental Health to discuss stress and coping with milder mental health concerns. Call 216-687-9325 or walk in.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, SC 319: meet with a counselor or advocate for help with recent or past sexual assault or abuse. Call or text: 216-619-6192.
Off-Campus Resources:
Here are some tips on how to choose a psychologist!
If you are without insurance, Circle Health is our first referral. Call Alan Hedjuk (216-707-3406) and leave a message to schedule an intake (free trauma therapy; sliding scale fees; psychiatry & therapy available).
Crisis Lines:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Counseling Center after-hours: 216-687-2277
For additional resources, check out Vikes Care!
If you’re okay, but you’re worried about a friend, here are some tips for how to help a friend.
Thanks for taking care of your own health and well-being and watching out for your friends and colleagues.
Have a great week.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.
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My best,
Lee
My views in all my Monday Morning Messages are my personal views alone and do not reflect the views of our Law School or our University.