Life does not stop while you are in law school. We can connect students with a wide variety of support resources, whether you are just looking for some stress-reduction help or are experiencing a major life trauma, illness, substance abuse, or mental health event.
The 2018 Chancellor's Report on Mental Health and Wellbeing can be found here.
The Director of Student Affairs offers non-clinical general and situational counseling and referrals to campus resources. If you are experiencing a significant life situation or illness, the Office of Student Affairs can work with the appropriate campus offices and/or your professors to get you the support you require.
Co-Counsel Program
At Vanderbilt Law School, all 1L's are assigned to a small Co-Counsel group, each of which is led by an upper-class student. These student leaders receive significant training from campus and community partners and are there for students to approach with questions, concerns, or potential problems.
Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP)
While every state has a LAP program, we are fortunate to have the best lawyers assistance program in the country here in Tennessee. Even better, their services are fully available free of charge to law students. If you are experiencing mental health or substance abuse challenges and prefer to work with an off-campus (and fully confidential) resource, we recommend working with TLAP.
The Student Care Network is a holistic network of services and resources pertaining to health and wellness available to all Vanderbilt University students. Primary offices include the Office of Student Care Coordination, the University Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, and the Center for Student Wellbeing. Students also have access to a wide range of additional on-campus and community resources through the Student Care Network—from the Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center to the Project Safe Center to a variety of community providers. To facilitate finding resources, students may refer to the Student Care Network website, or contact the Office of Student Care Coordination.
Office of Student Care Coordination
The Office of Student Care Coordination is committed to supporting undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and postdoctoral fellows in successfully navigating life events related to academic stress and/or medical, mental health, and/or other personal concerns that may interfere with a student’s ability to achieve their academic and personal goals. This team of “care coordinators” is the central and first point of contact for students to help identify needs and determine the most appropriate resources in Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network and in the Nashville community to address concerns. Student Care Coordinators work collaboratively with students to develop a student success plan, share education about and facilitate connections to appropriate on- and off-campus resources, and provide accountability through supportive follow-up meetings. Our goal is for students to have the right support, in the right place, at the right time. In addition, the Office of Student Care Coordination coordinates support for students returning from medical leaves of absence. Though staff typically have a background in mental health services, it is important to understand that work with a Student Care Coordinator is not counseling or therapy.
Many students face challenges during their educational experiences and each situation is unique. The Office of Student Care Coordination is the first step to determine where to go for the most appropriate support for your needs. Students are encouraged to visit vanderbilt.edu/carecoordination to complete an initial assessment and schedule an appointment to meet with a Student Care Coordinator. Students may also call (615) 343-WELL (9355) or drop in to see a Student Care Coordinator, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Office of Student Care Coordination is located in Sarratt Student Center, Suite 100.
As a key component of Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network, the UCC provides mental health assessment, support, and treatment for all students enrolled at Vanderbilt, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The UCC also serves postdoctoral scholars appointed by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Highly skilled and multidisciplinary teams of professionals offer crisis intervention, substance abuse counseling, short-term individual counseling, group therapy, biofeedback, ADHD and learning disorder assessments, and psychiatric assessment and pharmacologic treatment. Treatment plans are tailored to each individual’s unique background and needs. UCC professionals support the university’s mission of fostering inclusive excellence through cultural awareness and competence. In addition to regular hours and evening/weekend crisis response, the UCC offers various “Let’s Talk” locations and affinity groups.
To access UCC services, visit vanderbilt.edu/ucc or the Office of Student Care Coordination’s website at vanderbilt.edu/carecoordination or call the OSCC at (615) 343-WELL (9355). For immediate crisis support or to speak with someone at the UCC after business hours, call the UCC at (615) 322-2571.
The Student Health Center provides primary care services for students and is staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and lab technicians. The Student Health Center provides services similar to those provided in a private physician’s office or HMO, including routine medical care, specialty care (e.g. nutrition and sports medicine), and some routine lab tests. Most of the services students receive at the Student Health Center are pre-paid, but those services that are not are the responsibility of students to coordinate with their health insurance.
When the university is in session, during fall and spring semesters, the Student Health Center is open is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday early evening. Students should call ahead to schedule an appointment at (615) 322-2427. Students with urgent problems will be seen on a same-day basis. They will be given an appointment that day, or “worked in” on a first-come, first-served basis, if no appointments are available.
Emergency consultation services are available from on-call professionals at (615) 322-2427 when the Student Health Center is closed. For more detailed information on the services available at the Student Health Center and information on other health-related topics, please visit the Student Health Center website at vumc.org/student-health .
The Center for Student Wellbeing seeks to create a campus culture that supports students in cultivating lifelong wellbeing practices. The center offers individual coaching appointments to help students develop and maintain skills that will contribute to personal and academic success, and provides workshops on a variety of topics, including resiliency, time management, alcohol and other drug education, and healthy living. Students may use the center’s meditation room for yoga, meditation, and mindfulness classes, or for self-guided practice. The center also works closely with many campus partners, including the University Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, and the academic deans to provide resources and support for students who may be facing personal or academic challenges.
The Center for Student Wellbeing is centrally located on campus at 1211 Stevenson Center Lane, across from the Student Health Center, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call (615) 322-0480 or visit vanderbilt.edu/healthydores .
Vanderbilt Recovery Support (VRS) provides a supportive and accountable community for individuals concerned about their alcohol or other drug misuse and those actively in recovery from addiction. VRS is a collegiate recovery program which understands that being sober is one piece of being in recovery. By offering individual coaching, weekly meetings, and monthly seminars, along with social and service events, students are able to continue to work toward success in their academic, social, personal, and professional lives.
Call Vanderbilt Recovery Support (VRS) at 615-343-4740 or email at recovering@vanderbilt.edu
Vanderbilt law students concerened about their alcohol or other substance use can attend the Cumberland Heights Intensive Outpatient Program free of charge. Visit here for more details.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Vanderbilt is committed to the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act as it strives to be an inclusive community for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodations for any type of disability are encouraged to contact Student Access Services. Services include, but are not limited to, extended time for testing, assistance with locating sign language interpreters, audio textbooks, physical adaptations, notetakers, reading services, and reasonable accommodations for housing and dining. Accommodations are tailored to meet the needs of each student with a documented disability. Specific concerns pertaining to services for people with disabilities or any disability issue should be directed to the Disability Program Director, Student Access Services, PMB 401809, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, Tennessee 37240-1809; phone (615) 343-9727; fax (615) 343-0671; vanderbilt.edu/student-access .
Law Students with questions about this process can contact the Office of Student Affairs at vls.student.affairs@vanderbilt.edu .
The mission of the Project Safe Center is to provide information, support, referrals, and education about sexual and intimate partner violence (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), as well as consent, healthy relationships, and healthy sexuality to the Vanderbilt University community. Project Safe serves as a central resource for those impacted by power-based personal violence and can assist with navigating the University’s resource and support network (including the University Counseling Center, Student Health, the Title IX and Student Discrimination Office, Equal Employment Opportunity, the Employee Assistance Program, and the Vanderbilt University Police Department), as well as external support and law enforcement resources.
Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation
The Title IX and Student Discrimination Office (vanderbilt.edu/title-ix) and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Office (vanderbilt.edu/eeo) investigate allegations of prohibited discrimination, harassment, and retaliation involving members of the Vanderbilt community. This includes allegations of sexual misconduct and other forms of power-based personal violence. Vanderbilt’s Title IX coordinator is Molly Zlock, director of Title IX and Student Discrimination.
If you believe that a member of the Vanderbilt community has engaged in prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, please contact the Title IX and Student Discrimination Office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Office. If the offense is criminal in nature, you may file a report with Vanderbilt University Police Department.
The Title IX and Student Discrimination Office also facilitates interim accommodations for students impacted by sexual misconduct and power-based personal violence. Some examples of interim accommodations include stay-away orders, adjusted course schedules, and housing changes.
Specific concerns pertaining to prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, including allegations of sexual misconduct and other forms of power-based personal violence, should be directed to the Title IX and Student Discrimination Office at (615) 343-9004.
