Health & Wellness
Dispelling the Myth
When completing the application for admission to the bar, you do not need to report diagnoses of, or treatment for, mental health conditions, substance abuse, or addiction. The Texas Board of Law Examiners encourages applicants to seek appropriate help for any mental health challenges. The Board even assists applicants by working with the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program when appropriate.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Director of Student Affairs at Katherine_Sims@baylor.edu.
Confidentiality
You are encouraged to contact the Baylor Counseling Center and/or the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program (“TLAP”) if you need help.
The Baylor Counseling Center keeps all records confidential – they do not become part of your academic or administrative records. Visit the Counseling Center’s webpage for more information.
TLAP is strictly confidential – they are prohibited by statute from disclosing any information to any source without your prior written approval. (See Section 467.007 of the Texas Health and Safety Code for more details. For this statute, TLAP is a “peer assistance program.”) This includes the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Board of Law Examiners, the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (CDC), or any other disciplinary agency or entity.
Student Wellness Organization
The Student Wellness Organization (SWO) exists to raise awareness for the mental health and well-being of law students; furthermore, the Organization will promote healthy ways for students to cope with the stressors of law school by fostering a dialogue between faculty, students, and the lawyer community.
SWO hosts quarterly dog parks and wellness-oriented Professional Development Program sessions, organizes activities for Wellness Week, provides healthy snacks during high-stress times throughout the year, and offers a variety of social activities geared toward building community at Baylor Law. Follow SWO on Instagram @baylor.law.swo.
Baylor Telehealth by Academic Live Care
Any Student, Anywhere, Anytime.
In addition to the robust medical and counseling services offered through the Baylor Health Center and Counseling Center on Baylor’s main campus, the University has partnered with Academic Live Care to expand the medical and counseling services available to students. All Baylor students now have access to the following FREE services:
- 24/7/365 Unlimited In-the-Moment Mental Health Clinical Support Line
- Also available to students who are abroad
- Unlimited Telehealth Visits
- Virtual Urgent Care (Physical Health)
- Psychiatry
- Nutritional Counseling
- Women’s Specialized Care and Well-being
- Mental Health Counseling
- Telehealth Visits are available evenings, weekends, and when the University is closed.
- Unlimited Face-to-Face Visits for Mental Health Counseling through referral to local Academic Live Care network providers.
Academic Live Care offers flexibility in appointment times and access to providers based on preferences such as gender, cultural and ethnic background, language spoken, and specialties.
How to Access Baylor Telehealth by Academic Live Care:
For immediate mental health support and/or to schedule a counseling appointment, call 833-969-3998.
To access the Academic Live Care website, CLICK HERE
For medical services, including virtual urgent care, or to make a psychiatry or nutritional services appointment, go to baylor.academiclivecare.com and select the desired service.
Baylor Counseling Center
As a Baylor student, you can access the Counseling Center’s services.
Counseling Services strives to facilitate students’ educational experience and total development by enhancing mental health and well-being.
The Counseling Center provides:
• Individual, couples, and group counseling
• Crisis intervention for students experiencing a psychological crisis or emergency
• Psychiatric services are available through the Baylor Health Center, although a fee may be involved.
• Medical nutrition therapy by a licensed and registered dietitian
• Outreach and prevention programs for students
• Consultation services for faculty, staff, families, and friends of students.
In addition to individual counseling, the Center offers many online resources. Please click here for a more detailed summary of services.
Baylor Health Center
As a Baylor student, you have access to the Baylor Health Center on the main campus in the Student Life Center, located at 209 Speight Ave.
General Medical Care: Students can access the Health Center to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. You can expect the same care you would receive from your family doctor.
Psychiatry Services: Students have access to a Psychiatrist and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of mental health illnesses.
(Please note we do not provide counseling services within the Health Center. For the Counseling Center, call 254-710-2467 or click here)
Support/Comfort Animals: The only animals allowed in the Health Center are service animals required because of a medical disability. Comfort animals are not included or allowed in patient treatment areas. Letters for support/comfort animals are not available through the Health Center.
Lab Services: The Health Center uses the Clinical Pathology Lab (CPL) for laboratory services. Please ensure that they are in-network with your insurance. CPL bills insurance and patients directly.
Appointments: You may make an appointment Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM by calling 710-1010 or logging onto the Health Portal after 5 PM for urgent care web appointments for the next day. Summer hours are modified, so call to confirm availability. You must present an ID Card at check-in.
Transportation: Students must acquire their own transportation to the medical clinic. Contact Katherine Sims if you need assistance. Students requiring ambulance service to a local hospital are responsible for the expense. The Health Center staff can arrange for this service. Health Center physicians do not make house calls.
Referrals: Students are referred to community professionals or facilities for services unavailable at the Health Center. Students are responsible for any charges incurred. Such referrals would include, but are not limited to:
- Specialist consultations
- Tests
- X-ray
- Some Laboratory
- Emergency/acute patient care
- Dental care
For more information, click here.
Baylor Care Team Services
When a student exhibits behaviors of concern that could be a risk to self and others, the Case Manager for Student Life and others on the Baylor Care Team coordinate a proactive effort to prevent and/or manage the situation. Click here to submit a report to the Baylor Care Team.
Baylor FitWell
FitWell provides several great programs and facilities designed to meet the needs of every individual at any level of their fitness journey.
Students can purchase a Semester FITPASS online for $50 or visit the SLC Front Desk to purchase a membership.
For more information, click here.
Student Health and Wellness
Student Health and Wellness comprises five departments: Campus Recreation, Care Team Services, Counseling Services, Health Services, and Student Care & Wellbeing. Student Health and Wellness provides a continuum of programs and services designed to meet the physical and emotional wellness needs of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students students by focusing on the following areas:
- Health Education Outreach & Prevention
- Health Enhancing Activities/Self-Care
- Building Community and Student Support
- Direct Healthcare Services
- Healthcare Crisis Management
Student Health and Wellness offers several programs for Baylor Law students. Click here for more information.
ABA Resources
2017 Well-Being Tool Kit for the Legal Profession
2020 Substance Use and Mental Health Toolkit for Law School Students and Those Who Care About Them
Mental Health Screening
Physical Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits. Only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity.
Everyone can experience the health benefits of physical activity – age, abilities, ethnicity, shape, or size do not matter.
In addition to having free access to Baylor's Student Life Center, there are many gyms and fitness centers in Waco. Please click here for a list of local gym options.
Private Counseling Services
Some private counselors familiar with the unique pressures of law school are available here. Don’t hesitate to contact Director of Student Affairs Katherine Sims for additional information.
TLAP Support for Law Students
The workload of law school can cause a significant amount of stress for students. Are you, or do you know of a friend or associate who may be suffering from depression? The Texas Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) offers services to help you during this challenging time. To learn more about TLAP, click here for a short video.
Click here to enlarge the video.