Can You Receive Accommodations for Mental Health in College?

Are you getting ready to start your first semester at college?

This step is a huge milestone rife with opportunities for new skills, career prospects, and long-lasting connections.

With every new chapter in life comes a new set of challenges. Concerns about mental health are a normal and natural feeling to experience in college. In fact, confronting the issue head-on is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your college experience.

Fortunately, there are also resources to help students navigate mental health in college.

Learn more about mental health accommodations and resources in this guide for students.

Resources for Depression and Anxiety in College Students

Do you live with anxiety and depression?

You're not alone in your journey. According to recent data from the Mayo Clinic, one in three students are in the same boat.

Knowing your risk factors and triggers is paramount for managing your mental health. College life itself can pose many anxiety-inducing situations.

You have new pressures on your plate, including:

• -Mounting studies
• -Interpersonal issues
• -Social challenges
• -Homesickness
• -High-intensity studies
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Being honest with yourself about anxiety and depression is the first step. Next, assess the on-campus mental health resources available to students.

For starters, every college campus has an on-site clinic of some kind.

Are you currently taking medication for depression or anxiety?

Visit your campus clinic right away. This clinic is your closest medical resource in the event of a panic attack or another physical symptom that may need medical attention.

Enrolled students and those living on campus have access to on-site medical facilities. However, read your student information thoroughly to understand all your medical options. Some schools may have better mental health accommodations than other institutions.

Next, research available mental health resources at your school. Many schools have on-site counselors and therapists trained in helping students with depression and anxiety. You don't need a diagnosis to seek the help of a licensed college mental health professional.

Another option is to join a support group comprised of students going through the same challenges. Finding a sense of community can make a world of difference for students living with depression and anxiety. Plus, joining a support group can help you navigate the mental health challenges of living away from home.

Consider these points when applying to colleges so that you find a school that provides the utmost medical and psychiatric care for your condition.

Getting Accommodations for Mental Health in College

In many instances, a student's mental health concerns may be so severe that they require special accommodations. You're not alone if you fall into this category. This means you have a psychiatric disability that requires academic accommodations.

These points also speak to the importance of factoring in mental health when choosing a school. Some colleges have more (or better) accommodations for students with psychiatric disabilities than others. The right to accommodations falls under the American Disabilities Act.

You will need an official diagnosis from a doctor if you wish to seek academic accommodations. Diagnosed anxiety and depression do qualify for accommodation.

Students who also have the following disorders may receive accommodations under the ADA act with proper diagnosis:

• -Bipolar disorder
• -Schizophrenia
• -Borderline personality disorder
• -Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• -Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Severe social anxiety also qualifies for special accommodations with an accompanying diagnosis.

Do you have any of these conditions? Connect with an on-campus mental health specialist upon arrival at the school.

Do you have health insurance? Connect with a professional from your healthcare provider. Establish a strong support network at the start of the semester.

Signs You Need Accommodations for Psychiatric Disabilities

Having a diagnosis qualifies you for accommodations. It also helps to know the signs, as well.

For example, some mental health medications may cause the following reactions:

• -Tremors
• -Blurred vision
• -Fatigue
• -Slow response time
• -Communication problems
• -Tiredness
• -Concentration problems

The above side effects may require you to postpone a test or receive more time to complete a project. The mounting pressures of mental health can also lead to debilitating text anxiety.

Some disorders may also facilitate the following issues:

• -Fear or trouble communicating with instructors
• -Severe reactions to feedback
• -Difficulties managing change in instruction
• -Social anxiety (difficulties with group projects)
• -Problems with time management
• -Lack of academic stamina
• -Difficulty blocking distractions (i.e., noises, visual stimuli, etc.)
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The above points also speak to the importance of proper college scheduling. You may need a less intense schedule or choose a major with fewer performance expectations. Consider learning environments that are better apt for students with psychiatric disabilities.

You may want to consider online learning, as well.

More campuses are offering virtual classes. Online classes accommodate students who have difficulty concentrating in traditional classroom settings. You can also complete an accredited degree entirely online.

Types of Accommodations Students With Disabilities Can Expect

Several types of academic accommodations are available under the ADA act. For example, qualified students are allowed to ask for special seating. This may include being seated close to the entrance for quicker bathroom access.

• Students with disabilities may bring recorders to class for note-taking. They may bring an attendant to class with them. This person can also be a fellow classmate.

Early access to course materials, including a syllabus, is also allowed.

The no food or beverage rule may also be waived for students with disabilities. This is an important accommodation for students who experience fatigue from medication.

Students may also receive private performance reviews or feedback on coursework. Individualized attention is also allowed.

Thankfully, many of these accommodations are now standard for all students. This is regardless of mental illness. This new standard provides an even wider list of prospective colleges for students with disabilities.

Have Everything You Need to Perform at Your Best

Managing mental health in college doesn't have to be a setback. Standards are changing, creating more learning options for all students. Make it a part of your college selection process.

Consider available accommodations granted under the ADA act. Talk to your chosen mental health specialist about your options. Discover even more tools to help you succeed at your college of choice.

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