The Student Room Group

Suspension of studies for mental health

I have been struggling with severe anxiety since I started uni and around Christmas it got worse, I think going home and feeling relaxed set it off.
I haven’t been able to attend any in person lectures or seminars. I have been doing what work I can online but have missed quite a lot.
I got involved with student well being but probably left it to late and am now on medication and am having private therapy that I am paying for myself.
I had a meeting with my tutor and another two people from the department who have said they want me to take a suspension in my studies and to go home for a few months and start next year afresh. This is not what I want as I don’t want to go home and I would not be able to attempt to get in. My therapist has advised against this as she said I can’t put my therapy into practice if I go home. The thought of being suspended or taking a break is making me feel so much worse. They sent me a form to fill out to take a break but I haven’t filled it out. Do you know if they can force me to or can I refuse?
This is all making my anxiety so much worse and I do not feel supported.

Reply 1

Get some advice from the Student Welfare Team. From what you say I think that a period for recovery and a fresh start could be an option worth looking at. If you can get your mental health back on track you will be able to tackle the course work from a position of strength

Reply 2

Original post
by Anonymous
I had a meeting with my tutor and another two people from the department who have said they want me to take a suspension in my studies and to go home for a few months and start next year afresh. This is not what I want as I don’t want to go home and I would not be able to attempt to get in. My therapist has advised against this as she said I can’t put my therapy into practice if I go home. The thought of being suspended or taking a break is making me feel so much worse. They sent me a form to fill out to take a break but I haven’t filled it out. Do you know if they can force me to or can I refuse?
This is all making my anxiety so much worse and I do not feel supported.


They are supporting you by offering you the chance to suspend studies, take time to recover, and then return to your programme.

If your therapist is advising against this, then you need to get her to write formally to the university stating her opinion on this.

Have you spoken to your GP to get support and treatment for your anxiety? It may be that medication can help along with talking to your therapist.

It's likely that the university will have a process which would allow them to force you to take a break through a "fitness to study" process.

If you haven't already done so, you should contact your student union who should be able to advise you on, and support you through, any university processes.
(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 3

My therapist has written a letter which I have sent to the wellbeing team and course tutor etc. I have another meeting with them this week. She has been scoring my anxiety and in the five weeks I have been doing therapy it has decreased from a GAD score of 15 to 13 and I am doing graded exposure: my worry is if I have to take a break then I won’t get to practise or use any of the skills I am leaving and then I’ll start again in September and be exactly where I am now.

Reply 4

Original post
by martin7
They are supporting you by offering you the chance to suspend studies, take time to recover, and then return to your programme.
If your therapist is advising against this, then you need to get her to write formally to the university stating her opinion on this.
Have you spoken to your GP to get support and treatment for your anxiety? It may be that medication can help along with talking to your therapist.
It's likely that the university will have a process which would allow them to force you to take a break through a "fitness to study" process.
If you haven't already done so, you should contact your student union who should be able to advise you on, and support you through, any university processes.


The mental heath mentor said it was meant in a supportive way and I suppose it is but it feels like a suspension from school! Like a punishment not help if you see what I mean

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