Connection and Spirituality
Social isolation can significantly impact mental health. The demands of law school, not to mention enforced social distancing measures due to Covid-19, can increase the perceived distance between a student and their peers. Finding social connection can be difficult for many reasons, for example, addiction is an inherently isolating disease, workloads in law school can cut into social time, and shyness or feeling judged can lead to diminished social engagement. Finding connection with friends, faculty, advisors, family, or a spiritual network is important and doable. This section includes resources describing the damage caused by social isolation, others' experiences with feeling lonely, and tips for engaging with people.
Connection
- Asking for Help in Law School: Law School Success blog: Asking for help in law school can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. This article includes tips for how students can reach out when they are struggling.
- The Risks of Social Isolation by Amy Novotny - APA.org: This article discusses the health risks of social isolation and potential interventions to curb loneliness.
- Dealing with Social Isolation by Brian Cuban: This blog post shares this lawyer's experience with social isolation and addiction. Includes tips for dealing with social isolation.
- Lawyer Loneliness: Facing and Fighting 'No. 1 Public Health Issue' by Jeena Cho - ABAJournal.com: Jeena Cho, author of The Anxious Lawyer, discusses loneliness in the legal profession, its detriments to helath and functionality, and shares practical advice to dealing with isolation.
- 9 Fun Games and Activities To Do With Friends on Zoom or Google Hangouts by Charles Curtis - USAToday: A list of activity and game ideas to do with friends over video chat.
- Virtual Hangout Ideas During Quarantine by Sammi Su - The Los Angeles Loyolan: This article includes a list of virtual hangout ideas.
- Deciding When To Go Out - CDC.gov: CDC guidelines for helping decide when and how one might engage in safer in-person activities.
Spirituality
- Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD): HUSD has student life events and weekly worship services.
- Howard Students Talk About Religion and Spirituality by Jesyca M. Westbrook - Howard University News Service: This article shares Howard students' experiences with faith and religion in college.
- Integrating Spiritual Perspectives With the Law School Experience: An Essay and Invitation By L. A. Silecchia, 37 San Diego L. Rev. 167 (2000): This essay reflects "on the new ways in which the traditional life of law schools may be colored by a new emphasis on spirituality."
- Finding Peace in Law School By Dominique Simon, 19 Rich. J.L. & Pub. Int. 433 (2015): This article shares one law student's experience with spirituality in law school.
- Get Out in Nature at one of D.C.'s parks
- National Park Service - D.C. Area
- Meridian Hill Park
- Bruce Monroe Community Park
- Rock Creek Park
- or Develop a Green Thumb at Wangari Gardens.
- Ministry Matters™: offers practical and immediate inspiration for preachers, teachers, and worship leaders. With thousands of original articles and blogs, unique book reviews, and weekly worship and preaching helps in our This Sunday area, MinistryMatters.com provides both community and inspiration.
If you're interested in learning more, our Continuity of Library Services guide contain sections on (1) coping with stress, (2) prioritizing self-care, and (3) adjusting to change.
© Howard University School of Law Library. Questions about this guide should be directed to reference@law.howard.edu.