As exciting as the opportunity is to qualify, studying for the SQE or US Bar Review is an enormous undertaking. At BARBRI we understand the strain that some of our candidates experience, whether it’s balancing work, life and studies, or coping with bereavement (or birth!) while preparing for these challenging exams.
We’ve gone to great lengths to find the best resources and advice to help our students cope with their studies, the exams, the exam results, and whatever life throws in the mix.
We caught up with Robert Dudley, Head of Employability and Engagement, to explain our wellbeing support, mental health provision and how our students (and employees) can access it.
Rob, we know that maintaining a healthy body and mind is key to our students’ success. What kind of support are we offering our students?
Our students have full access to CareerHub, which is so much more than just an employability platform. It offers hundreds of expert articles, videos and course content that deal with different aspects of wellbeing, from mindfulness and multitasking to sleep problems and anxiety. It can be accessed here.
What do our Mental Health First Aiders do and how can students access them?
We have a dedicated team of Mental Health First Aiders to provide guidance and signposting to external resources and partners. We’ve also partnered with LawCare, who provide bespoke support services for those preparing and entering the legal profession.
Our Mental Health First Aiders are trained and certified and have:
- An in depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing
- Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
- Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress
- Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
- Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s self-help resources, external counselling services, the NHS, or a mix of these.
You mention LawCare – can you elaborate a bit on our wellbeing partners and how they can help our students?
Yes! We have teamed up with some fantastic organisations and we can signpost anyone who needs additional support to our partners.
BARBRI holds a close relationship with LawCare, which offers some useful support tools for those in need, such as peer support and access to their series of webinars entitled ‘Let’s talk about it’. LawCare also provides free and confidential emotional support for anyone struggling with the pressures of a career in the law. Additionally, they offer training, resources and research that promotes positive change in the culture and practices of legal workplaces.
WhatsUp? provides daily tools that promote positive mental health and wellbeing. It is secure, confidential and non-judgmental.
Of course, we also refer students who need it to Mind, the mental health charity offering free mental health support, and its online community Side by Side, which is open 24/7.
Student Space is run by Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, and offers a range of trusted information, services and tools to help you with the uncertainty of student life. The support is safe, confidential and free and has been developed collaboratively with services, higher education professionals, researchers and students to complement the existing services available to students.
The Office for Students offer wellbeing and protection advice and guidance.
And Rethink Mental Health is a leading provider of mental health services in England, with over 90 services, experience and record of success, specifically assisting the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities with their mental health.
Watch our webinar with LawCare and BARBRI here.
What is the International Bar Association’s International Guidelines for Wellbeing in Legal Education?
The IBA’s ground-breaking report is a comprehensive resource designed to embed and promote wellbeing in the lawyers of the future whilst they are studying. BARBRI is proud to be one of a handful of global law schools who are early adopters of the new IBA Guidelines on Wellbeing in Legal Education, demonstrating our commitment to implementing best practice and comprehensive support in this space.
It sets out to deliver 10 recommendations and we will be subscribing to implement these in stages to:
- acknowledge the importance of, and actively promote, wellbeing in legal education
- abandon a view that wellbeing issues should be seen as signs of weakness
- raise awareness of the different ways in which wellbeing can be addressed and prioritised
- make a commitment to evidence-based, long-lasting change in addressing wellbeing and the challenges faced in legal education
- continually assess and evaluate the efficacy of changes and initiatives designed to promote wellbeing
- ensure policies and procedures reflect the importance of student, faculty and staff wellbeing
- foster an open dialogue between students, faculty and staff, promoting a culture of trust and inclusivity
- commit to addressing systemic problems, such as excessive competitiveness and lack of empathy
- recognise intersectionalities, including the benefits to wellbeing of embracing equality, diversity and inclusion
- sharing best practice examples in an ongoing dialogue both internally and externally.
You can read more about it here: The IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission launches International Guidelines for Wellbeing in Legal Education | International Bar Association
Tell us also about the safeguarding measures we have in place?
This is very important to us. We at BARBRI are committed to ensuring that we fulfil our responsibilities in safeguarding any vulnerable adults who may be at risk of harm or exploitation, including abuse or concerns over students being drawn into terrorism (the Prevent Duty). Any student who is concerned about themselves, or another vulnerable adult should directly contact a BARBRI Mental Health First Aider on the email above for advice on how we can assist with any safeguarding issues.
What can students do if they feel overwhelmed or in need of mental health support?
Our mental health support service is entirely free and any student can email xxx or call xxx if they need to speak to someone or need a referral.
And what can students do in an emergency?
Should you require emergency or crisis support, please contact a BARBRI Mental Health First Aider in the first instance or one of the following organisations who are experienced in helping people in times of crisis:
Emergency Ambulance or Police:
Call: 999
Samaritans:
Visit: www.samaritans.org
Call: 116 123
Domestic Violence helpline:
Visit: www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
Call: 0808 200 0247 or 0808 802 9999
Rape Crisis Centre:
Visit: https://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/
Non-emergency police services:
Call: 101