This year the ANU Law Wellness Initiative is hosting the first Wellbeing in the Law Week, and with the semester nearing crunch time, it’s an important reminder to look after yourself and your community.

A lunch for students and staff, a healthy eating seminar and a petting zoo kicked off a week of events designed to stimulate the senses, lift the spirits and give everyone a break from routine.

There will be singing, dancing and a greyhound playdate, but on a more serious note the Black Dog Institute and Batyr will run a session to talk about depression and building resilience.

Anne Macduff, one of the organisers of the week’s activities, and a member of the staff and student Wellness Initiative, noted the unique pressures on law students in particular due to the nature and the content of the law that placed them at risk of being mental ill health.

“But it doesn’t only impact on students,” she said.

“Research is currently being undertaken by ANU College of Law about the challenges faced by those working in the legal academy. There are unique challenges and difficulties faced by those involved in higher education that need to be acknowledged. Large classes, tight deadlines and difficult material impact staff too.”

ANU College of Law Dean Professor Stephen Bottomley spoke about the importance of paying attention to our mental and physical wellbeing.

“The high incidence of stress and anxiety, depression and general mental ill health in the legal profession at large and amongst law students in particular is well documented and well understood,” he said.

“In addressing questions of mental wellbeing, whatever the context, it must be done in a shared and group-supported way. It cannot be left to individuals to deal with alone.

“And while we must always address the serious impact which anxiety and stress and depression can have on us, we must also keep an eye on the bright side of life. Have a sense of fun.”

So whether it’s singing with the choir, cuddling up to a greyhound or dancing the Nutbush with your lecturers, go forth and have fun. Check out the full list of events on our website.