On September 16, Harvard Law School faculty members provided strategies for maintaining mental health in the demanding legal profession. The discussion, moderated by Grace Shrestha and S.J.D. candidate Arnaaz Ameer, was organized by the Student Well-Being Working Group alongside the Dean of Students and Office of Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging, as part of an initiative to destigmatize mental health.
Read More
Professor Christopher Bavitz, vice dean for experiential and clinical education, shared insights from his own experience, stating, "I love being a lawyer ... my job is to sit at a desk and have a client walk in and dump a really hard set of stuff on the table in front of me.” He emphasized the importance of finding routines that help alleviate stress, such as walking his dog in nature.
The panel included faculty members Beatrice Lindstrom, Diane Rosenfeld, and Daniel H. Yi, who contributed their personal strategies. Lindstrom encouraged students to integrate well-being into their legal practice, asserting that teachers and lawyers should view self-care as essential to effective work.
Rosenfeld highlighted the challenges of the current political climate, stating, "We have a past, and we have a future ... focus on the positive.” She stressed the importance of sleep as crucial for mental health, noting her commitment to meditation and physical activity.
Yi shared how running helps him maintain a sense of control in his life, a practice he adopted while working at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Throughout the event, faculty members underscored that self-care is not in opposition to legal work but rather a critical component of practicing law effectively and sustainably. They encouraged students to embrace routines that foster their well-being, ensuring that they can serve their clients and communities with strength and resilience.