Academic Success and Personal Wellness
Academic & Student Services
If you need personalized support, academic advice and goal-setting support, contact Angela Gallo-Dewar, Assistant Dean, Student Services, to make an appointment.
Angela works with all students in the JD program, including joint degree and dual degree students, LOP students and incoming and outgoing exchange students.
Counselling Services
The Alberta Lawyers' Assistance Society (ASSIST) provides free and confidential help to Alberta lawyers, articling students and law students and their immediate families with personal issues. As a law student, you and your immediate family are entitled to four free sessions of psychological counselling, per issue, per year. Peer support is provided to law students and articling students only.
To schedule an appointment with the psychologist, please call 1.877.498.6898.
Read the ASSIST FAQs for UCalgary Law students
More info about ASSIST's services can be found below.
Wellness Mentor in Residence
UCalgary Law is pleased to welcome our new Wellness Mentor in Residence, Orlando Da Silva. Orlando is a lawyer who has had his own struggles with mental health and wants to be available for students to talk about depression, anxiety or stress with someone who is a member of the profession and who has lived experiences.
UCalgary Law Wellness Club
Run by current law students, the Wellness Club hosts a variety of events throughout the academic year.
Follow the Wellness Club on Instagram @ucalgarywellness.
UCalgary Mental Health Services
The SU Wellness Centre offers a variety of mental health supports, including peer listening, workshops, counselling and psychiatric consultations.
Single Session Counselling appointments are available:
- One hour appointments
- No limits to number of times students can access
- No waitlists
- Book an appointment: 403.210.9355
Sexual Violence Support
If you have been impacted by sexual violence, we believe you and can connect you to services, inform you of your rights, help you think through options, or just listen.
UCalgary Student Wellness Services
We’re here for your well-being. Visit us for your holistic care – from medical to mental health.
UCalgary Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to removing barriers that have been, and continue to be, encountered by equity seeking groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, visible/racialized minorities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+.
UCalgary Faith & Spirituality Centre
The Faith & Spirituality Centre seeks to cultivate a pluralistic community by encouraging cultural and religious literacy, community building, and social change as an integral part of the student experience.
UCalgary Women's Resource Centre
The Women's Resource Centre provides a safe and supportive place to advance gender equality and build community through sharing, learning and teaching. We value all experiences and offer the resources necessary to make informed choices.
The Q Centre
The Students’ Union’s Q Centre is a safe, comfortable and inviting space for the LGBTQA+ community at the University of Calgary. Featuring a library and peer support services, the program coordinators and volunteers plan events and direct clients to relevant resources. Guests are also welcome to hang out and socialize.
Writing Symbols Lodge
Writing Symbols Lodge provides academic, personal, and cultural support services and programs to prospective and current First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, and offers a welcoming and supportive learning environment for the whole campus community.
External Resources
Calgary Distress Centre
Call or text: 403.266.HELP (4357)
Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team
403.237.5888
ASSIST Support for UCalgary Law Students
Mission
Enhancing the immediate and long-term well-being of Alberta lawyers, articling and law students, and their dependent families through confidential and non-judgmental psychological assistance, peer support, education and community.
Psychologist in Residence hours
Meet with one of ASSIST's registered psychologists within the law school (will resume when in-person classes resume.) In the meantime, you can book with any of our counsellors.
Why call ASSIST for counselling?
If you just don’t feel like yourself. You do not need to wait until you are in crisis. ASSIST provides up to 4 hours of professional counselling to you and your dependents per person, per issue per year so that issues can be assessed and addressed or referrals made to longer-term sources of help.
Call 1.877.498.6898 to book an appointment Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
24/7 Crisis Counselling call 1.877.498.6898 and follow the prompts.
Why call ASSIST for peer support?
Would you like to discuss an issue you are facing with another lawyer, trained in peer support principles, who can relate to your experiences and provide hope and encouragement?
Call 1.877.737.5898
Why join an ASSIST community?
Meet other lawyers and law students with similar interests.
Education & Awareness
Law is a stressful profession and lawyers and law students alike experience mental health and substance use issues at much higher rates than the general population of our colleagues in other profession. Learn more about lawyer mental health and issues impacting law students in particular, as well as strategies on the Knowledge Hub.
Current law student Joel Tallerico shares his experience with ASSIST.
Weekly community events with ASSIST
- Monday: Red Mug Coffee Circles. Chat about career and school issues with senior lawyer peer support volunteers in a group setting.
- Tuesday: 15 minute Mindfulness break
- Wednesday: Online yoga class
- Friday: Gold Mug Coffee Circles. An opportunity for UCalgary Law students to participate in confidential chats with our peer support lawyers (and retired judges) about law school and career topics. Every Friday at 11 a.m. in MFH 3322.
Other opportunities
- Parents Practicing Law: Available in Edmonton and Calgary
- Lawyer 12-step communities: Email executivedirector@lawyerassist.ca to
arrange an introduction to a group in your community