[turquoisesea]

Here's the story -

I am diagnosed with Major depressive disorder. I was in college last school year. I started to have trouble with depression related to delayed grieving and some other issues. I started not to handle school and went to the administration about it *big mistake*

The administrator instantly said that I should take time off, and that if you're depressed you can't possibly get better without at least a year off school. She said she had been depressed herself in college.

That semester she kept pushing me to do this. I went down to part time status, and at the time started on meds which made things unbearable and caused me to be unable to do school. I had an A in one class, and in the other it would not have been good. The week before finals, this administrator called me to her office, and told me I either had to go on medical status or she'd kick me out of the school altogether. She refused to show me what being on medical leave meant, how I'd get out, or even how much money I would receive back. At first she refused to let me call my parents before signing the papers. Then she gave me less than 24 hours to do so. I did not have time to set up a meeting with a superior or do anything BUT sign the papers.



Now, a full semester later, Im up against her again.

The letter I got from the school says one thing, she says another. She says I can't come back next semester at all.

I feel that she has discriminated against me the whole way. I'm also really worried because I had a friend from this school who was denied acceptance on the basis of her depression.

any advice? thanks so much!

[FerretGuy5]

Take your complaint to the school Provost.

[spiritual_emergency]

Depending on where you live there may be mental health advocates at a state or private level -- they could probably provide some guidance for you. Consumer based mental health support groups might also be able to provide some assistance. There may also be free legal services you can make use of. Don't overlook your students association.

Also, carefully review any documentation from the school so you're perfectly clear on what legal rights they were using to remove you from the semester. In addition, if there are state/provincial laws that govern the school's actions, it will likely be to your benefit to know what those are as well.

.

My daughter had to take a medical leave from the univ. her 2nd semester of sophomore year. The school WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE. They put on her transcript only medical leave--not that it was for psychiatric reasons (due to stigma). So she went back, graduated summa cum laude w/a double major & went on to law school. She had therapy & medication & much-needed stress-free lifestyle for awhile.

However, she still has bouts of depression but is so afraid of any fellow lawyers finding out that she is seeking mental health care that she won't go into treatment & suffers terribly.

Maybe this will helpful. It is only 50 pgs. long & explains what is legally considered a disability & how to get help if you have been discriminated against. DISABILIITY LAW HANDBOOK AVAILABLE

The Southwest Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) – funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research recently announced that the Disability Law Handbook is now available on our website at: http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/dlh/index.html. The book will also be translated into Spanish and will be available soon.

This Disability Law Handbook is a 50-page guide to the basics of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability related laws. Written in an FAQ format, The Disability Law Handbook answers questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments
Questions re this Handbook should be directed to the Southwest DBTAC, web site www.swdbtac.org.
Want information on Federal mental health grants, publications, meetings, policies, programs and other useful material for mental health consumers? Join the CMHS Consumer Affairs Listserv at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/listserv/
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Want information on Federal mental health grants, publications, meetings, policies, programs and other useful material for mental health consumers? Join the CMHS Consumer Affairs Listserv at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/listserv/

I'm not sure if this link will help:

http://www.mhanys.org/publications/m...datelatest.htm

[Michah]

Sweetie, just a thought, have you asked them on what legal grounds they have asked you to defer for medical reasons? Often Universities as part of their insurance, have a 'duty of care" scenario.......if they feel that you are in danger for ANY reason whether psychologically, physically or otherwise, they have duty of care to deny you access to the uni, study or anything that may exacerbate the problem.......because in our libelous age, you have recourse to sue(as they are aware of your situation) if they did not help you and your condition gets worse.

I was in my first semester of my Bachelor of Science when I landed in my trusty psych unit for 3 weeks.......my psych reg contacted the uni, at my insistence and had my degree deferred.......they were very supportive.......I DID NOT want to give up my degree, but I didn't feel I had any choice......know that if you give yourself a break, you CAN go back......

In saying that, you CAN fight tooth and nail to get answers......I don't know if you have necessarily been discriminated against(only you know the "tone" of the dialogue) but it sounds like her motivations are to protect the University from possible future legal action.

I hope you get the answers you need, sweetie.......there is nothing like feeling like you are up against a big machine.......been there a few times!!

In stillness.......

[deliquesce]

do you have a students' representative council? usually they will have people who are willing to fight this tooth and nail for you.

we also have disability & equal opportunity officers (members of staff of the university) but my recommendation would be to approach the SRC first (i dont know if you have these in the US?) because they will know the uni structure best.