Colleges Intolerant of Mental Health Issues

I just completed college the week of Christmas. I already knew that with the shootings going on starting with Columbine, schools whould be more aware of potential problems. As a result, I had to work very hard at hiding my three illnesses without meds because I knew I would be risking my education. I, instead, tried to quit work so I could complete the courses I need to finish college because I knew I could no longer keep up with hiding and I was and still am close to a relapse. My employer convinced me to take a leave. My point is, it will become more and more difficult to attain higher education for people who suffer from mental illness. In fact, I would imagine students will be requirted to take psychological assesment tests before admission.

The universities are trying to prevent lawsuits from injuries created by mental illness. They are the foundations that teach the future doctors and therapists how to deal with mental illness. If you cannot teach by example then all will be lost to the future. The future doctors are being shown that a person with any type of mental illness or disorder cannot function. Where does that leave the patients of the future? Will everyone eventually be out of work, uneducated and living off the government? There is greatness in the minds of thousands that will be told they can never do anything because they are ill. They will be taught and shown they are unworthy, addle minded and below the norm. If there is no education because you are depressed then the whole system will shut down or there will be greater chaos in the acts of those who fold without the care they need. I don't know exact figures or statistics regarding depression. I do know the stress that begins in todays children at an earlier age. If we just begin with those young minds that are not in college yet, there will be very few that manage to actually achieve a degree or education beyond high school. I have a child that I know will never go to college. He is bright and intelligent and schizo affective. He will not function in that setting, now, at the age of 19. I know this. To know that people that can function will be denied what he cannot have, gives me a dismal look on the future of man. Where will we end up when we are all stripped of even the smallest shred of compassion, understanding and help? This is but a small step or so it seems, but so is an atom. It can stop a whole world.

I work within a large university setting and am close to colleagues all over the country in major research universities and I haven't seen or heard any evidence of what you're describing. In fact, what I see is the university, here, going way out of its way to assist students and employees w/mental illnesses, as well as anyone with emotional or family problems, especially those stemming from the pressure of academic activities. On my campus and other large university campuses where I have friends and colleagues, I see an admirable open-mindedness to reach out to students with mental health issues and help them cope with the stress of being in school. Also, my institution takes health privacy law very, very seriously and it sounds like the schools you speak of may be in violation of health privacy laws.

 

I wonder if the development you're describing is found among smaller schools, rather than the large universities where there seems to be a long history of experience with mental illness and the resources in place to maintain programs devoted to helping these vulnerable students finish school. At larger universities, students tend to be more anonymous and the mental health programs here tend to struggle more with identifying students in need of counseling before it's too late. On our campuses, among the very large population of students that attend our schools, student suicides occur every semester. I've been working here 20 years and each time it happens there's a renewed effort on the part of the university to do more to reach out.

 

My institution seems well equipped to deal with mental illness problems. Even personally, my daughter was treated very well when she was in school here both during her undergraduate years and her graduate years--she suffers from bipolar disorder. There was a special counselor for her and a special set of rules and privacy protocols that applied to her to take some of the pressure off of her during her ups and downs and help her cope with the demands of school. Without that, I don't know if she could've made it through.

 

What you're describing is very distressing. I wonder if larger universities like mine could provide assistance to smaller colleges in developing programs to help students cope with mental illness and get through school. Sounds like a model approach may be needed?

I don't get it!!  In high school they try to keep kids from preventing suicide.  So in college we now have to make it so people hide their issues and what seems to me can be pushed into suicide.  I grew up not being able to talk about my problems.  Now as an adult, I am constantly encouraging my children to tell me their problems. I believe it is completely wrong  for colleges to force students to hide their  problems.  We live in America, why is it the truth can't be told.  I don't agree with this at all.  So are they saying that if you have been in counseling or a rehabilitation of some kind before you are accepted, this would be a reason not to accept you.  I don't agree.  We all need help, it's just in different ways. Why should this be treated any differently than that of one who doesnt get math???

As the parent of a bipolar student, I worry constantly that he is taking the meds and managing the stress which is part of being a student and also a trigger for a manic episode.  He sees a private physician since the mental health clinic at the university is poorly run and perceived by students as the one place to avoid!  This article broke my heart; just as kids are making progress, bureaucrats push them back.

The first person I thought of was Kay Jamison.  She went through college, medical school and medical residencies with Bipolar.  I would hate to think that she might have been stopped!....

-Meg

I think this is pretty uncommon, but still unsettling.  My experience in academia has been that it is extremely tolerant of mental health issues.  It would lose a significant number of its most talented students and faculty if it wasn't!

 

I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology, and I'm working on my Master's degree in sociology.  I began receiving counseling and medical services from my university my freshman year for suicidal depression and severe anxiety.  I was also referred for disability services.  Over the course of 4 years, I deteriorated until I had a major manic/mixed episode.  I took a year off of school to recover and adjust to my new meds.  My professors were aware of what was going on and did whatever they could to help me.  When it came time for me to reapply, I had to write a letter of appeal to the University (I failed a class due to my illness).  I fully disclosed my diagnosis, my treatment, and my plans for maintaining stability.  I was allowed back to finish my degree without question, and other than the usual probabtion, was not given any restrictions or special treatment.  My professors provided me with amazing support, and when it came time, encouraged me to go to graduate school.

 

I was accepted to both graduate programs I applied to.  After I arrived, I fully disclosed my bipolar illness to my department faculty when applying for a fellowship based on disability.  Their support has been outstanding.  Rather than discriminating against me, I think the faculty give me more respect for doing what I'm doing.  The University itself hasn't hindered me at all.  The health center provided me a psychiatrist for the first 8 months until I found my own, and I receive disability accomodations based on my BP diagnosis. 

 

If it were up to me, I would keep my diagnosis to myself.  Unfortunately, that's just not a possibility.  I don't think there's any where I could be as safely open about my health than academia though. 

The problem for the schools is that they are unfortunately held liable if a mentally ill student should harm his or her self. Parents see these schools as custodians that are responsible for their childrens well being. If harm should befall them, the parents sue the school. Simply there is some liability that these schools don't want to have. It is unfortunate condering that these students are forced to hide something which they should come forward with in order to get help.

Wow!  You sure got some people thinking on this one.  What next?  Will young children be scrutinized for having mental health issues?  Will churches disallow people that seem a threat?  Where will it all end?  The whole idear of this kind of discrimination makes me wonder where the Americans with Disabilities Act people are - sitting on their thumbs and ignoring the whole issue?  Very VERY disturbing.

GJ
You did it again, thank you for informing us all of the things going on across the nation concerning the treatment of those with bp and other mental illness.

It seems that the pounding never seems to stop!
I personally think this is one of the MOST disturbing posts you have written...

One reason being it was during my MANIC episodes before i complied to medication that I decided to get my master's degree....I utilized the mania (which DID lead to a total breakdown for i went days and days without sleep) but utilized it at the time and came out with a 4.0 GPA!!!! on a master's degree under great distress and at the same time working diligently on a custody battle for my stepson at the SAME TIME (the lawyer knew we had little money and told us that if I would do the research and pull up the reference books of past cases etc of which he gave me full access, then he'd lower the cost, and I DID THIS TOOWHILE WORKING ON MASTERS AND WORKING AT SCHOOL SYSTEM!!!)

So the fact that bipolars are being ousted from college is absolutely a travesty!!
I can only recall the Nobel Prize winners, the Kay Jamisons, the Edgar Allen Poes, the numerous famous personalities that are very intelligent and successful. I know that the schools are worried about a liability and the almight dollar and covering their *** but why can't they just have a waiver signed or something of that nature that they aren't responsible for the actions of their students or something in that nature.

TO deny ANYONE an education is horrid..and yet they don't want to give us a disability but keep us from improving our lives!!!

..not to mention when a student is aware enough of their situation to SEEK HELP>>>

there should definetly be some form of retribution for the revealing of PERSONAL AND PRIVATE Health information for these students, I know in order to get anything at ALL sent to my lawyer for my ss disability case i have to sign somany release forms it isn't funny....and really HOW DID THEY RELEASE THIS INFORMATION AND NOT VIOLATE THE PRIVACY ACT????

Personally i'd like to see the American Disability people, the NIMH and other advocacy groups come in and shut down this university until it can comply with the laws of privacy and actually get a counselor that is going to HELP the students.

We all know that campus life is already very taxing, and that there are many students, be they touched with fire or undaunted by mental illness, that have difficulty adjusting and handling the stressors of campus life...for instance i feel that the drunks and party kids are more a threat to my daughter in college than a person who is bp and complying to their meds or seeking medical help....

..but to deny someone with a mental condition or disability an education when some of the GREATEST OF ALL writers, artists, thinkers, muscians, etc....were/are bipolar or touched somehow with mental conditions....this has disturbed me beyond words. What is NEXT?? those in wheelchairs, those who don't have limbs from being vets, or those that aren't blue eyed and blonde haired????SOUND FAMILIAR?????

I know that I was bipolar when getting my bachelors degree on campus and beyond manic and even having GREAT issues with it during the time i was getting my masters also....and yet i came from BOTH with a 3.9 in bachelors, and 4.0 in masters....

there were many NOT TOUCHED WITH FIRE students that just "showed up" and did the motions and had no excuse whatsoever for their lack of dedication....

Now don't get me wrong, there is a danger of those who don't comply to their medications, but there are ON LINE programs that the school could have suggested or worked with the student to get them on the proper medications/complying with medication etc....I know that NO CHILD can be denied an education when young....KNOW THAT FOR A FACT from being a teacher for 12 years.....why do we change the policy for adults, no one should be denied an opportunity to improve their lives....

 

I am so riled up about this i don't know what to do, is there something we can do to help make sure this doesn't become the "norm" across the nation???

Discrimination is alive and well guys and that has been proven over and over, the stigmas that follow us about are not thwarted unfortunately!! (and i personally think the media has a great hand in this!!)

 

We can take this sitting down or we can write to our NIMH or Adovocacy groups or something right GJ????Please give us a direction as to what could be done on this...

I have no idea which direction to go but i know i HAVE To do something for this has weighed on my mind and it has taken me 2 days to even reply for i can't get it out of my head and what i want to say in the proper way....

I AM INFURIATED at this....

As a teacher i had a major breakdown in the teacher's bathroom and knew enough to remove myself from the classroom as i felt it coming, but that was from LACK Of my ability to accept my illness and seek help due to my own personal fears and misunderstandings of the mental health field and their processes....i just think it a shame that others can't get the help they need and possibly avoid this kind of breakdown that has left me totally unable to work....i went 10 years before diagnosed and put on medications for bp (had many antidepressants which we know lead up to mania if not accompanied with bp meds...which is what happened to me)

 BUT to think of the losses we would have had this type of discrimination come to pass during the times of the greats .....think of what our society would have lost, the great minds, discoveries, inventions, creations, artistic expression....

 

GOSH GJ I COULD GO ON AND ON>>>This is absolutely the most disturbing thing i have read next to the child being taken from their parent!!! GEEZ>>>
please....what can we do....who do we write to.....any suggestions and boy i'm on it and it would ease this whirling manic mind to try to help another bp out...I so want to get into advocacy of some sort and don't know how but you are fueling my desire so much!! Went to your website and it is awesome.

PLEASE keep up the informative posts PLEASE and if you know of ONE SINGLE THING we can do to speak out on this one, PLEASE let me know.....

I thank you GJ for looking out for all of our rights and the discriminations that are obviously rampid and undercover in America....

Once again, you touched my heart and I thank you for your staunch determination to make a difference....I join you my friend and would love to get into an advocacy program of some sort...I gave a copy of this to my therapist and she was utterly appalled by this and stated that the NIMH will be onthem before they can blink...but....will they????????????????
a very concerned

ctrygirl

My daughter had to take a medical leave during the second semester of her junior year (from a very prestigious university) due to having a severe depression.  The university never pressured her.  She made the decision herself when she found she could not function.

 

After the time off (during which she got medication & therapy & had some time to destress) she returned to her classes & graduated summa cum laude with a double major of French & Econ.

 

On her transcript the school only put medical leave & did not specify that it was for psychiatric reasons.

 

After a year of so she was able to get off the meds.

 

Now she had completed law school & has passed the bar & is working.  The depression is returning (though she's not at the non-functioning stage--just that her life is not very enjoyable at all & she falls apart on weekends).  She realizes she needs to get back into therapy & probably on meds, but she is scared to death of the stigma--of someone finding out & deeming her as not competent to practice law.

 

I'm afraid for her--that she will let it get so bad again due to her fears of discovery.

I completed my BA in Information Technology a little over a year ago. What I found at this university was the willingness on their part to do whatever was needed for me to succeed. They had an office of disability which helped in any way possible (other than completing my homework which by the way would have been greatly appreciated) in making sure the school was accommodating.

 

Privacy was a major concern with them and only information deemed necessary was released to staff members…nothing to the student body. I really hope what your saying is not a trend that will continue. These schools need an education from NAMI that the vast majority of us are harmless and pose no threat to anyone and would be a shame to deny us based on our mental health.

 

They might as well lock us away as it was in the past. The other issue I see is that people that could benefit from treatment will now stay clear for fear that colleges won’t accept them….sounds like were going backwards.

 

 

I did complete college, graduated top of my class 3.89 gpa overall earned two degrees and actually created and run an incorporated business....and I am classified as mentally ill...go figure. 

I am a graduate student at a University in the South.  For some insane reason, I trusted a professor (that I had had classes under several times) with the fact that I am bipolar.  Wrong move.  Her father had been bipolar and life had been horrible.  I saw my 3.7 GPA tettering on anihilation.  She badgered me, humiliated me, and threatened to fail me.  Thank goodness once I met with the Dean she saw it for what it was.  The instructor's problem and not mine.  It $$me the class price but it was taken off my record.  I didn't get to graduate on time but I still have my GPA.  Now, why is it that enlightened, educated people can be so shallow minded????FEAR.  She lives in daily fear that she will be just like her father SO she isolates herself from any and all that resemble.

Oh, my therapist said this was largely MY problem because I wanted people to accept me for who I am, bipolar and all.  She feels that the wisest thing to do is to tell no one and to never expect acceptance.  And I thought I had the problem.

hi.. i am a college student from india. i am doing ma communication. i m suffering frm depression and i am also under treatment. the doctor said i am suffering from attention seeking disorder. i dont know if its same as bipolar. when i read those articles about bipolar... i seem to have similar symptoms. i am irregular to college. sometimes i dont go to coll because i sleep too much or even throughout the day. sometimes i get excuses if i walk 5 to 10 min late to class. the teachers know that i m under treatement.. but these mood swings often disturbs my mormal life. somedays i am too cheerful but some days even small things can make me upset.last week my teacher told me something and i was crying the whole day in my class. i was unable to concentrate. since then i dint attend class.. i m just hoping that i will be able to go to college. i am not very good at communicating my problems to anyone. infact i do not know why little things disturbs me a lot.. i have attendace problem in my college. i was not able to take up exmas last semester due to this prob. i dont wanna miss this semester also. i m not very intelligent, i am a slow writer coz i have to think for answers for a long time during exams. i am also very dependable...so i need somebody with same intelligence so that i can work with them together. there are only 11 students in my class.. n they r not my kind at all. my mother tells me to discontinue studies. but i really want to complete my course.. i feel if i get enough help from my college with attendace.

i am not good at maintaining relationships too. the doc told me that i have to attend class regularly else i must discontinue and go for work. i do not know what to do? pls help me. what should i tell my teachers? am i suffering from bipolar or somethin else? will i be able to continue my studies? pls help