Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, colleges and universities must provide students with mental health illnesses necessary academic accommodations.
It is common knowledge that colleges and universities offer accommodations for students with learning disabilities, but did you know that diagnosed mental health disorders also qualify students for accommodations?
In the past decade, the number of college students treated for mental disorders has dramatically increased. In September 2020, NCBI discovered that 61% of students seeking help at college counseling centers reported anxiety as the reason, and 64% of students that drop out of college cite mental health problems as the cause.
These are staggering statistics, and with the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can only assume that anxiety disorders in college students will continue to rise. To help these students succeed, we must educate students on the support available, normalize the concept of receiving accommodations, build their ability to self-advocate, and inspire educators who think a student may be struggling to reach out and let them know there is help.
Both Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University offer a variety of accommodations specifically for students diagnosed with mental health disorders. Our team of Student Success Coaches at College Excel help students identify and set up accommodations and learn how to effectively utilize these services.
To find out more about mental health accommodations and the college support services available for these young adults, go to www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Teens-Young-Adults/Managing-a-Mental-Health-Condition-in-College.