Taking a semester off for mental health reasons

[Anonymous]

We are getting close to making a final decision on having DS take next semester off (sophomore year) for mental health reasons. He needs to devote some time to getting better and I'd rather he just take the semester off then have to come home mid-semester, which we are working hard to avoid at this moment.

Anyone have any experiences with this? What did your kid do for both therapy and with their free time? How was the re-entry back to college?

Thanks for any responses.

[Anonymous]

Had friends who did this in college. Everyone got hourly jobs (waitressing or similar). It helped—I think the broadened perspective is as important as therapy, perhaps more. Just getting out of the college bubble.

[Anonymous]

We have a friend who did this for their DS. Took a semester off and eventually ended up in a wilderness therapy program that worked wonders for him. He suffered from severe anxiety.

[Anonymous]

My son had medical issues that were making college almost impossible, which, in turn made him severely depressed.

In June, he got a job at a country club in the golf area, his major is sports management.

He started weekly therapy in June. He took 1 class online over the summer, a class he failed.

In the Fall, he continued doctors appointments, therapy, working at the golf course and took 2 community college classes online.

He returned to college and is taking 4 classes at a time. He will graduate a year and 1/2 late.

[Anonymous]

My sister did this years ago, she was able to take a semester fully off and still graduate with her class. She spent a good portion of it on an OUtward Bound type experience and it was so good for her. Got back to school really much more able to deal with life and with a sense of purpose. Good luck to your kid I know it can be hard.

[Anonymous]

I wish I would have done this. I tried to go back during college, and had one professor who understood, and the others just failed me. It would have been better to take the semester off, but I wasn't brave enough at the time. Good for you all for supporting your kid in the best way possible!

[Anonymous]

Depends on why he’s out. If it’s anxiety and depression it may be a semester out. These can be treated well with meds. Bipolar and schizophrenia Id look at a full year out—and make sure he can do the work at community college first since there’s often a cognitive decline. The meds are much worse for these two conditions. But people do manage to get through college and have careers.

[Anonymous]

As others said, he will likely be better equipped to return to school if he stays busy, especially with a job. Routines and jobs give confidence to 18-21 year olds and confidence is what he is going to need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are getting close to making a final decision on having DS take next semester off (sophomore year) for mental health reasons. He needs to devote some time to getting better and I'd rather he just take the semester off then have to come home mid-semester, which we are working hard to avoid at this moment.

Anyone have any experiences with this? What did your kid do for both therapy and with their free time? How was the re-entry back to college?

A friend’s son did this. In his case he tried to go back and my friend needed to take him home and he got i ate dice therapy and decided to change schools. He too worked at a country club while home and took some cc courses along with therapy. He graduated a semester late and is fine now. His issues were linked to the original school not being right fit and feeling bad about it and feeling guilty that he may be wasting parents money on wrong major. Anyway he dealt with everything and is such a wonderful young man. There should be no shame in working to help yourself

Thanks for any responses.

[Anonymous]

Get a job (restaurant, store, etc. -- not a resume-building experience like an internship) and take a class or two at the local community college that you know will fulfill credits for their "home" university.

[Anonymous]

I did this. Went to community college. Did NOT work. The last thing I personally needed was to see myself as a failure who was doomed to an hourly position forever. I needed hope. YMMV there, of course.

I would insist on therapy. My parents didn't, and while I did go back and finish my degree, I would have been happier after some intensive mental health help.

[Anonymous]

My child came home mid-quarter with a mental health issue - she was going to fail the quarter and it was better to withdraw. She had a summer internship lined up in a different state, and she wanted to do that. She started therapy and medication, and my thought was to provide support for her achieving realistic goals, instead of also feeling like she had failed at the internship. We were also, however, not eager to have her be alone after having to withdraw from school. We were in a position to work remotely with her in the other state, and she had a successful internship. She wanted to return and finish her final year, but to set her up better for success we changed her living situation (to alone, she really needs that space), and she dramatically pared down her workload (which was part of the problem). She started her last year with more strategies in place, therapist support, less pressure, and a healthier living environment. We'll see how it turns out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did this. Went to community college. Did NOT work. The last thing I personally needed was to see myself as a failure who was doomed to an hourly position forever. I needed hope. YMMV there, of course.

I would insist on therapy. My parents didn't, and while I did go back and finish my degree, I would have been happier after some intensive mental health help.

Just want to clarify, I would insist my kid work if they failed out for partying and never going to class. But I don't think someone should be punished for having a mental illness by being forced to wait tables or work retail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did this. Went to community college. Did NOT work. The last thing I personally needed was to see myself as a failure who was doomed to an hourly position forever. I needed hope. YMMV there, of course.

I would insist on therapy. My parents didn't, and while I did go back and finish my degree, I would have been happier after some intensive mental health help.

Just want to clarify, I would insist my kid work if they failed out for partying and never going to class. But I don't think someone should be punished for having a mental illness by being forced to wait tables or work retail.

I didn’t get the impression anyone did- just that it’s to good to have routine and purpose. Those jobs are great learning experiences for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did this. Went to community college. Did NOT work. The last thing I personally needed was to see myself as a failure who was doomed to an hourly position forever. I needed hope. YMMV there, of course.

I would insist on therapy. My parents didn't, and while I did go back and finish my degree, I would have been happier after some intensive mental health help.

Just want to clarify, I would insist my kid work if they failed out for partying and never going to class. But I don't think someone should be punished for having a mental illness by being forced to wait tables or work retail.

I didn’t get the impression anyone did- just that it’s to good to have routine and purpose. Those jobs are great learning experiences for everyone.

Like I said, it would have been devastating to me, but you know your kid best.