If you’re struggling with mental health during college, you may have asked yourself if taking a pause, or reducing your course load, could be a smart move. This is a big decision, considering the substantial investment that college requires – financially, emotionally, and intellectually.
However, if you’re struggling with this question, you’re not alone. In recent years, the percentage of students contemplating time off for mental health has risen to 41%, according to a post-pandemic Gallup Poll. And, as an IOP* and PHP mental health treatment community, we know that many of our clients at The Dorm have grappled with this before starting treatment – over 70% of our clients are currently enrolled in college or plan to return to their studies after completing treatment.
In honor of our new University Partnership with Pratt Institute, we’re highlighting three expert opinions on how students can make informed decisions about taking a leave of absence or a partial leave of absence from their studies. We spoke with Martha Cedarholm, Director of Student Support & Advocacy at Pratt Institute, and Amanda Fialk, PhD, LCSW, LICSW, Partner & Chief Clinical Officer at The Dorm, to answer some of the most common questions students have when deciding whether to take time off for mental health.
When should I consider a leave of absence from school for mental health?
Dr. Amanda Fialk, Partner & Chief Clinical Officer of The Dorm: Before jumping in to this conversation, it’s critical to note that taking a leave of absence is a privilege that not everyone has, especially those in marginalized groups.
For instance, trans students may not have affirming home environments to return to, students experiencing food insecurity might rely on campus dining halls, and those on scholarships may have financial concerns about if they’ll lose funding for school. These are very real obstacles that can be difficult to approach while also struggling with mental health, and in this case we would encourage clients to lean heavily on the supportive services universities can provide.
For those that are able to consider taking a leave – the main question will be about if your mental health symptoms are impeding your ability to participate in both academic and social edeavors effectively, and of course this isn’t always “black and white.” For instance, some students may thrive academically despite mental health challenges, and vice versa—they may be thriving socially but struggling academically.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you’re considering a leave of absence:
- Is the stress of the university of environment hindering your ability to focus on recovery and mental health?
- Are the therapeutic services provided at school insufficient for your needs?
- Is day-to-day life bringing you fulfillment and support? (i.e. Are you able to partipcate and enjoy academic and social endeavors?)
- What coping skills or executive functioning skills do I have in place that help me navigate campus life?
- Have I faced other stress tests of living and studying independently in the past?
Would a partial leave of absence or a full leave of absence be better for me?
Martha Cedarholm, Director of Student Advocacy, Pratt Institute: Early in my career, I often encouraged students to take full time off if they were struggling with mental health, especially in complex clinical cases. But over time, I began to see the benefits of balancing treatment and school at the same time through a reduced courseload (which we refer to as a “partial leave of absence.”)
The reason for this is that having a purpose to your day—being engaged in something—can be very beneficial for struggling students. College life offers a lot of scaffolding, including:
Do you or a loved one need help with mental health?
The Dorm is here.
- Counseling Centers: A great place to start when you’re struggling, usually at no additional cost.
- Learning Access Centers/University Learning Specialists: These provide learning support, peer mentors, and access to new software and technology.
- Residential Life Offices: help students connect with various resources and check in regularly.
- Health Offices: help identify co-occurring health issues and manage medications.
- Fitness Facilities: offer community and physical benefits that can help manage mental health challenges.
Also, having something like The Dorm in place is life-changing for students who want to stay in or return to school. Intensive outpatient programs allow you to build and test coping skills while living your life.
If, however, these services aren’t an option or not meeting your needs, it’s ok to take full time off for mental health, and you’re not alone – At any given time, we have 200-300 students (about 5% of the student body) on a leave of absence for various personal, academic, or financial reasons.
When will I know when I’m ready to return to school or a full course load?
Dr. Amanda Fialk: If your goal is to return to school, during treatment you would start by identifying the issues that impacted your ability to navigate college life. Just as important, you’d learn to also recognize your strengths—treatment is about enhancing those strengths and learning skills to overcome areas of executive dysfunction.
Put most simply, treatment during a leave of absence looks like:
- Learning the necessary skills within the treatment setting with the guidance and support of licensed therapists and your treatment community.
- Applying those skills in real-world settings outside of treatment, while still having the support of your therapist and community.
It’s important to practice being in school and participating in campus activities while still in treatment. This hones your skills and builds self-efficacy and confidence. When you return to school, it won’t feel like you’re going from “zero to 100”— you’ll have already experienced class, volunteering, and other activities while equipped with new coping skills. In short – you’ll know when you’re ready because you’ve already been doing the work.
Having a transition plan is essential. Identify services on campus that can support you. For some, returning full-time is a true goal and an exciting step forward. For others, treatment may reveal new paths, such as pursuing employment or volunteering before considering higher education again.
How will taking a leave of absence impact my future?
It’s normal to fear falling behind or having a gap in your resume. But it’s important to recognize that taking time for therapeutic support can be a strategic choice for your future. Remember, life is a non-linear journey, and it’s okay for your path to reflect that. If you’re concerned that future schools or employers will ask about your leave, you can frame it as a time when you were “sharpening your ax,” building the skills needed to do the work you’ll one day be invested in. And you always have a right to privacy when it comes to your medical and mental health decisions.
During treatment, you might decide that college, or the school you were attending, isn’t right for you. You may choose a different path, whether that’s a vocational route or transferring to another school. Some clients even prefer to stay in their treatment city and find a school there (in NYC or DC for our clients at The Dorm) because they’ve built a support network and feel connected to the area. In this type of program, we’re constantly learning, discovering our skill set, and finding what we truly want to do. Sometimes this means pivoting from the original plan.
We often tell clients, “No one cares whether you graduated from college at 21 or 28.” What matters is that you’ve found enough stability to pursue your goals and feel excited about the future.
Thank you Amanda and Martha for your insights!
About The Dorm’s University Partnership Program with Pratt Institute
Today, 1 in 3 university students suffer from depression or anxiety, and deep systemic mental health inequalities persist, particularly among racial and ethnic minority students. With this in mind, The Dorm has partnered with Pratt Institute to offer a treatment scholarship that covers 100% of the cost of clinical care at The Dorm at Tier 3, a level of care that allows clients to continue their courses at local New York City universities. Our University Partnership Program initiative is dedicated to individuals who demonstrate financial need and are members of communities historically excluded from equitable mental health care.
“We want to help narrow the mental health treatment gap for students who persistently face inequitable access to care,” explains John McGeehan, LCSW, CADC, Founder & CEO of The Dorm. “We bring comprehensive treatment services directly to students, so they don’t have to seek care outside the city where they are studying and building a community. We offer college-specific services, culturally competent care, and truly know how to help students get better, work towards their goals, and do this in collaboration with their campus counseling teams.”
Pratt Institute offers a variety of resources to support student mental health, including an excellent counseling program. This scholarship serves to supplement students’ care, providing more robust treatment opportunities for those who may need them.
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*In New York State, The Dorm operates as a Group Practice.
