Written by Julie Wolfson and Anna Guimaraes, Co-Directors of Fountain House’s College Readmission Program
Discussions about mental health in colleges have mostly focused on the resources schools offer on campus and how they can and should be expanded. Are there enough therapists? peer counselor? RA training?
With rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide soaring, especially among teens and young adults, these are all just and urgent concerns. If we do, we must also address often-overlooked barriers to care. Leave of absence policies have long blamed mental illness and too often punished students for being outspoken about their condition.
Students in Fountain House’s college readmission program learn the skills and strategies needed to return to school after a mental health leave of absence.
fountain house
Discussions about mental health in colleges have mostly focused on the resources schools offer on campus and how they can and should be expanded. Are there enough therapists? peer counselor? RA training?
With rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide soaring, especially among teens and young adults, these are all just and urgent concerns. If we do, we must also address often-overlooked barriers to care. Leave of absence policies have long blamed mental illness and too often punished students for being outspoken about their condition.
Across the country, about 14% of students cited mental health as the main reason they had to quit school, and nearly a third of students cited mental health as one of the reasons they were unable to complete their degree. rice field. The results are far-reaching. A student who drops out of college is more likely to face unemployment, earn less in a lifetime than her peers, and is three times more likely to default on student loans than she is. They are also cut off from major communities, friends and colleagues.
“Chilling effect” of vacation system on mental health
When students are ready to return to campus, the reinstatement process should be straightforward, accessible and most importantly encouraged.
Unfortunately, the re-entry process is often not. Leave of absence policies not only vary from institution to institution, but may also vary within an institution based on the reason for the leave and the student’s course of study. Also, vacations are not always voluntary and sometimes involve campus police and local law enforcement to evict students against their will. Imagine the chilling effect this could have on someone who needs mental health care but knows that seeking help could lead to deportation. The consequences, if not fatal, can actually be disastrous, perpetuating a culture that further criminalizes mental illness.
Even if you want to take a leave of absence, complications can arise. A person who relies on the college for health insurance, counseling, and campus housing may suddenly find these resources inaccessible when they are needed most. Vacation policies and practices are not always clear, often with unforeseen financial and academic consequences. Some universities impose strict, if not difficult, readmission requirements. Students are required to complete rigorous coursework and “stay constructively committed” even though they graduated from college in order to have the time and energy to focus on recovery.
lead students to success
As licensed social workers and co-directors of Fountain House’s college readmission program, we work directly with young people who are on pause from their studies due to mental health issues and understand how these policies are bureaucratic. I’ve seen firsthand how rude and uncaring they are. .
Taking a leave of absence can be incredibly lonely in a society that welcomes college as an explicit part of the American dream—the right-of-way that is supposed to encapsulate our future prospects and values. We must prepare our students for success, both in their recovery and in achieving their academic goals.
No one should be penalized for having mental health issues. And there are caring, common sense steps schools can take right now to ensure students are better supported as they navigate their academic and mental health journey.
First, the university allows for both current and returning students, including part-time course loads, early registration to better coordinate classes and medication schedules, and virtual attendance when needed. We need to make room for mental health considerations. I don’t think leaving is their only option. , students should not miss anything. These individual plans should allow flexibility as to when students will return. This should ensure that students do not risk losing their place at school when they decide they need more time to prepare to return safely.
Colleges and universities should also establish a ‘one-stop-shop’ for students who wish to take a leave of absence due to mental illness or other reasons. This allows students to easily explore their options without pressure or judgment. Leave policies related to mental health should not be more punitive or restrictive than those for physical health, and should include potential academic and/or financial considerations, You must specify the procedure. In addition, retroactive course cancellations should be available for students whose previous academic problems resulted from mental health problems.
Ultimately, these policies will have a profound impact on how students perceive mental health, both on campus and in the years to come, and how mental health is perceived at all other levels of the institution. Universities should not only keep students safe, but promote a holistic culture that makes them feel less ashamed to seek treatment for mental illness than for broken bones, Responsibilities take precedence.
We need to start treating students with mental health issues as more than a burden or responsibility. Waiting until the next lawsuit or tragedy for the university to act is a shameful and unacceptable mistake.
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, call, text, or chat with 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 or visit 988lifeline.org to access our free and confidential service 24/7. .
