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Mandatory leaves
are rare in New England schools
(August/September
2005 Issue)
Faced with the challenge of balancing psychological care for growing
numbers of troubled students with a safe learning environment for
the entire student population, some university mental health officials
say the best course of action, for some students who are severely
distressed, is to take time off.
Forced leaves of absence for students at New York University and
Columbia University who had admitted contemplating suicide have
received media attention recently. Among the schools New England
Psychologist talked to, withdrawals because of mental distress are
rarely forced, although they are seen as suitable options in certain
circumstances. "A key time for vulnerability is when a student is
severely depressed," says Richard Kadison, M.D., director of Mental
Health Services at Harvard. "Some students need to take time off,
especially if they are disruptive or worrisome to others concerning
their safety."
At Harvard, a leave of absence may be mandatory or voluntary. Students
who take leaves must undergo an outside clinical evaluation before
they can return to school, and a coordinated strategy for care needs
to be in place upon the student's return.
Mental health directors at other schools say that leaves of absence
are something of a last resort. "We try not to do that, but sometimes
it's the best thing to do," says Ira Reiskin, M.D., chief of Mental
Health and Counseling at Boston University. Gertrude Carter, MSW,
director of Psychological Services at Bennington College in Vermont,
concurs. "Unless someone is on the edge, we won't force it," she
says. Especially when a student's home life might be a source of
stress, she adds, options need to be weighed carefully.
At MIT, where withdrawals are usually voluntary, distressed students
must determine if they can focus on their coursework while taking
care of themselves, says Alan Siegel, Ed.D., chief of Mental Health
Services there. Leaves of absence at MIT can begin at any point
in the semester and be made retroactive, he adds, so that no matter
which point in the semester a student leaves, tuition for the whole
semester is reimbursed.
"The idea is for there to be as little a financial burden on the
student as possible," he says.
While the lengths of leaves of absence vary among cases, one year
seems to be average.
Siegel and Kadison both say that upon return, students must demonstrate
the work they have done to resolve their problems.
"It takes a while to work on these issues, and students should
have time to do the work they need to do," Kadison says.
Ami Albernaz
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