The Mental Health and Wellness Committee is a new initiative created by the Law Students' Association this year. One event organized and held by the committee included a contest sponsored by the faculty. The contest aimed at creating awareness and opening up a dialogue regarding students' mental health and wellness. Students were encouraged to submit a creative piece that described what mental health meant to them. A panel was created by the Committee to review the wonderful submissions and three were ultimately chosen for a cash prize. The first prize was awarded to a cartoon drawing submitted by a second-year student. Her cartoon depicted a monster that kept looming over a student and ended with a frame that shows the monster being shut out from the female character's room. When asked to reflect on her drawing, the winner stated,:
"In law school it is easy to feel overwhelmed. I decided to draw a comic featuring a monster because sometimes that's what all the stress feels like. It's easy to forget to make time for life outside of school, but it is so important to keep up good mental health or you will be miserable. A monster seemed like a light-hearted way to depict that struggle."
The winning pieces were displayed for the student body and faculty to review. Although the viewing included delicious treats, the greatest part (aside from the submissions themselves), was special guest and therapy dog Mr. Bean. It was a very successful event that allowed people to come together and support a wonderful and meaningful cause.