Five Tips From Experts on Taking a Mental Health Break From College

Many students are considering taking time away from school to tend to their mental health — and it is something that should be encouraged, experts say. Still, navigating those waters may be intimidating. Here’s what mental health experts in academia recommend.

What are the signs I should take a break for my mental health?

It is not uncommon for college students to struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and continue to be able to function in an academic setting. But when those symptoms start to interfere with your day-to-day life — your ability to attend classes and engage with the material, eat with friends in the dining hall or take part in extracurricular and social activities — it’s time to evaluate whether you should take a semester or two to get mental health help, experts say.

Kimberly Blackshear, director of the Time Away Office at Duke University, said that in the past, there were concerns that students who took time off may not return. “We used to have this concept of a bootstrap mentality where you’ve got to just grind and push through,” she said.

Blackshear said a medical leave may be a positive thing — not just for a student’s health. “It may be a really positive thing for their academics,” she said. “It may be a really positive thing for their career trajectory.”

Where do I start?

Students who believe a leave of absence is best for them should take it. But first, talk it through with a school counselor, adviser or other professional on campus who handles such matters.

“Have you tried counseling? Do you need a reduced course load? Or might a change of housing help? Are there things that would help you feel better and be successful if you stayed?” said Nance Roy, chief clinical officer of the Jed Foundation.

Roy said most of the time, students still decide to take a leave, but talking it through will help you ensure you are not making a rash decision.

How do I protect my self-interests when taking leave?

Students need to understand their school’s medical leave policies and procedures to protect their academic careers and financial interests and to make sure that, eventually, their transition back to campus is a smooth one.

For those who have a chronic mental or physical health condition, ask about tuition insurance plans at the start of school. In many cases, however, issues arise without warning. If that happens, make sure you get information about what is required for you to take a leave, what you need to do during your time away to satisfy school requirements, and how long you can stay on leave before you will need to reapply to the school.

How can I make the most of that time away?

Students should start by seeking the appropriate treatment for their challenges.

Once you have started making progress, Blackshear said, add an element of productivity. Volunteer. Get an internship or a part-time job. Audit a class — as long as your school permits it. “It allows them to practice the skills that they gained during the course of their treatment in an environment outside of their house,” she said. “Then we’re able to evaluate where they are — if we need to gain more skills, if we need to shift treatment.”

What is the healthiest way to resume classes?

Some students may need to continue treatment even after their return to college. So establish a provider at or near your school before you head back to campus. That way, you’re not struggling to find one while trying to reintegrate into campus life.

Then when it comes time to choose your courses that first semester, consider a lighter load. Experts warned against feeling that you need to try to make up for the time you lost. Outside class, continue to practice self-care with good exercise, nutrition and sleep habits.

And when challenges arise again — which they may — use the coping skills you developed during your time away.

Excerpted from “Five tips from experts on taking a mental health break from college” in The Washington Post. Read the full article for more details.

Source: The Washington Post | Five tips from experts on taking a mental health break from college, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/11/11/college-mental-health-leave | © 2022 The Washington Post

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