Student Wellness

SMU Counseling Services

Dr. Bob Smith Health Center

The Counseling Services team at SMU includes licensed professional counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists as well as interns and post doctoral fellows from programs accredited by the American Psychological Association. The team offers a comprehensive array of psychological services, including counseling, assessment, crisis intervention, outreach and consultation. Some commonly treated conditions include stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, relational issues, substance abuse, and eating concerns. Your student fee covers all counseling services (which are confidential).

SMU Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies

The mission of the office of Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) is to support the educational, career, social, and recreational choices of SMU students with documented disabilities through coordination of services and reasonable accommodations. In keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities may not be subjected to discrimination. The purpose of reasonable accommodations is to assure that these students have access to SMU programs and services and to the opportunity to succeed academically equal to that of students without disabilities. Academic accommodations do not guarantee that students will be academically successful, and they are not provided simply because a person has a disability. Rather, they are provided only if not having the accommodations would result in discrimination.

It is the responsibility of the students themselves to establish eligibility for services or accommodations through the DASS office. Students who would like to be considered for services through this office (1) must submit appropriate, current documentation, and (2) must request services themselves, ideally by completing the online request form. Documentation will not be reviewed without the students’ making such a request.

Documentation of a disability needs time to be reviewed to determine eligibility, so it is important to submit documentation early.

Note: Since submitting documentation to admissions is not considered a request for services and does not ensure that the documentation is forwarded to this office, be sure to submit documentation directly to this office. Please allow two weeks for review of documentation before inquiring about eligibility for services.

SMU Office of Health Promotion and Wellness

The Office for Community Health Promotion (CHP) serves as a resource for health information on campus. We are here to keep your life balanced and healthy during your time on the Hilltop. We host a variety of well-being programs for students including health fairs, speakers, mental health discussions, fitness classes, and more!

SMU Student Academic Success Programs

Student Academic Success Programs (SASP) helps students rise to academic challenges. SASP specialists offer students programs designed to maximize their learning potential, personal adjustment, and academic performance. Law students may be interested in the following Learning Strategies Workshops offered by SASP:

  • Time Management
  • Stress Management and Test Anxiety
  • Note Taking and Organization
  • Motivation

Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports 

Law students have access to one of the premier fitness facilities in Dallas at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. The facility is designed for recreational sports, wellness and intramural activities. Recreational facilities include a state-of-the-art weight room/fitness facility featuring individual flat screen televisions; racquetball, basketball, badminton, volleyball and sand volleyball courts; exercise studios; indoor soccer area; 25 meter indoor pool; outdoor fountain pool; indoor jogging track; and climbing center with rock-climbing wall. Your student fees cover access to the facility; student ID required for entry.

Intramural Sports

  • Registration and Team Management
  • Fall Sports: 3v3 Basketball, Billiards, Dodgeball, Flag Football, Floor Hockey, Sand Volleyball, Soccer, Table Tennis, Ultimate Volleyball
  • Spring Sports: 4v4 Flag Football, Basketball, Cricket, Indoor Soccer, Racquetball, Sand Volleyball, Softball, Tennis, Ultimate Volleyball

Medical Care 

The University’s health facilities are located in the Dr Bob Smith Health Center. The medical clinic is staffed by physicians and experienced health care providers who provide a wide range of medical services, allowing students to receive quality outpatient care on campus. Services provided include treatment of acute illnesses, care of injuries, minor medical procedures, physical exams, STD testing, immunizations, allergy shots, laboratory testing, and X-rays. Specialty services include dermatology, women's health, and sports medicine.

Your student fee covers primary care, physician visits at no charge, as well as all counseling services. Charge for specialized physician care, laboratory tests, x-rays, pharmaceuticals, and supplies

Prayer/Reflection Room

Underwood Law Library, Room C224

  • Private room for students, faculty, and staff of all faiths, spiritual beliefs and practices
  • SMU ID required for entrance

Lactation Room

Storey, Inside Women’s Restroom in basement

  • Private room in which female students, faculty, and staff can pump and feed their children; refrigerator available
  • Pass code required – obtain from Betty Alexander: 214-768-2620 or bettya@smu.edu

Sexual Misconduct Policies, Prevention and Resources

Concerned About a Law Student?

You may be the first to notice a student is in distress. If the situation represents an immediate threat to personal health and safety, notify the SMU Police immediately at 214-768-3333. In non-emergency situations, students, faculty, staff, and family members may report student concerns by completing this form 

Dean Yeager may connect with the student to discuss the concern; assist the student in navigating University resources; provide information about available resources; develop an action plan with the student to address the concern; consult with faculty, staff and students about handling the concern; and/or support and follow-up as needed.

Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program

The Texas Lawyers Assistance Program provides confidential support to law students and graduates struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use issues, grief, or any mental health challenge. TLAP can be reached anytime at 1-800-343-TLAP or by texting TLAP to 555888. It can provide connection to mental health professionals, peer support, group support, and even financial assistance for mental health care. TLAP recently produced a program for law students and graduates dealing with the anxiety of the COVID-19 isolation and it can be viewed here All communications with TLAP are confidential pursuant to Texas Health & Safety Code § 467. TLAP does not share any information from law students seeking help from TLAP with non-TLAP third parties, the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Board of Law Examiners, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s Office, or any other disciplinary agency or entity. TLAP is staffed by attorneys who have spent many years struggling with addiction and depression, and their team protects the people they care about most, those seeking help!

General Information

Other Substance Use and Mental Health Resources

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For more information, please visit: https://988lifeline.org
  • Substance Use and Mental Health Toolkit for Law School Students and Those Who Care About Them - A collaborative effort of the ABA Law Student Division and the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs
  • Law Student Mental Health National Alliance 

  • For Anxiety and Depression Association of America, please visit: https://adaa.org/

  • For Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, please visit: https://www.dbsalliance.org/

  • For Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy, please visit: https://www.sidran.org/

  • American Bar Association Website-Mental Health &Wellness Resources at https://www.americanbar.org/.

  • Recovery & Wellbeing Meeting- Open to SMU Students Only; Tuesdays 5:00 PM- Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports; Conference Room 104 (in alcove to the right of the check-in desk)
  • Sober Mustangs Support Group
    Thursdays 6:00 - 7:00 PM- Highland Park United Methodist Church, Room 256
    Open 12-Step Support Group
  • Upper Room AA Group
    Highland Park United Methodist Church, Rm. 387
    3300 Mockingbird Ln. (@ Hillcrest) Dallas, TX 75205
    Mondays at 7:30 PM, Closed, Discussion
    Thursdays at 6:00 PM, Open, Rm. 385
  • Highland Park Presbyterian Church AA
    3821 University Blvd.
    Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm
    West End of Building in the Basement
  • Drug Addicts Anonymous (DAA)
    Bridge to Shore Group-Lake Highlands Baptist Church
    642 Brookhurst, Dallas, TX 75218
  • Smart Recovery
    Thursdays 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Richardson Medical Center- Bush/Renner Campus, Physician Pavillion
    2821 E. President George Bush Turnpike, Suite 200
    Richardson, TX 75082
    972-495-1235
  • 4th Dimension Cocaine Anonymous
    Center for Spiritual Development
    5324 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75220
    CA Website: http://www.ca.org
    North Texas CA: northtexasca.com
  • Narcotics Anonymous- Central Group
    8304 Esters Blvd #845, Irving, Texas 75063
    NA Website: www.dallasareana.org
  • Last House on the Block
    5835 Penrose Avenue
    Greenland Hills United Methodist Church
  • For Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, please visit: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 212-870-3400
  • Cocaine Anonymous (CA) 310-559-5833
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA) (818) 773-9999
  • Debtors Anonymous (DA) (800) 421-2383 U.S. Only

Student Self Help Library - Often, when we struggle with difficult mental health issues, it helps get more information about them. We can learn how others deal with them, and at the very least be aware that we're not alone in our struggles.

Support Groups:

  • 800 ALCOHOL 800-ALCOHOL
  • Alcoholics Anonymous 212-870-3400 
  • American Trauma Society 800-556-7890 
  • Cancer Information Service 800-4-CANCER
  • CDC National HIV and AIDS Hotline 800-342-2437 
  • Compulsive Gambling Hotline 800-LOSTBET
  • CSAP Nat'l Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information 800-729-6686 
  • Center for Substance Abuse Treatment 800-662-HELP
  • Grief Recovery Helpline 800-445-4808
  • Marin Institute for Prevention of Alcohol & Other Drug Problems 415-456-5692 
  • Narcotics Anonymous 818-773-9999
  • Nat'l Ass'n of State Alcohol & Drug Abuse Directors 202-783-6868 
  • Nat'l Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information 800-729-6686
  • Nat'l Coalition Against Domestic Violence 800-799-SAFE
  • Nat'l Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence Hope Line 800-475-HOPE
  • Nat'l Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. 800-NCA-CALL 
  • Nat'l Institute of Mental Health Depression & Panic Disorder 800-421-4211
  • Nat'l Mental Health Association 800-969-6642
  • Nat'l Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network 800-789-CMHS
  • Sex Addiction Hotline 800-551-9888
  • Students Against Driving Drunk 508-481-3568