Who Needs a Mental Health Gap Year?

Honestly, you can say most high school Seniors could benefit from taking a break from continued education. Only a majority will actually do that though. For those who are struggling with a mental health challenge that is consistent, taking a gap year might be a necessity, rather than a choice. If you’re trying to determine whether or not you (or your loved one) may really need a “mental health gap year,” see below for four concrete reasons:

• If your mental health symptoms are persistent or severe enough that they’ve been interfering with your ability to keep up in class, and/or are leading to social isolation. This could pertain to what was playing out at the end of Senior year, or what will likely roll over into higher education.

• If you have a new or budding diagnosis, or your mental health isn’t currently well managed. An example of a situation not being well managed is if there is cycling (i.e. mania or depression), or medications that are not helping and creating adverse side effects.

• If you’re recovering from a crisis (i.e. hospitalization, breakdown, etc.)

• And lastly, if there is a plan for getting better before going off to college, consider executing the plan and postponing school until you see the plan through.

College isn’t going anywhere. Take a gap year for mental health purposes can be really detrimental to your collegiate academic success. In fact, the bulk of my consulting practice consists of helping young adults pick up the pieces after having to withdrawal from college due to mental health reasons. Deferring is always an option! If you are even remotely on the hence about going, I would suggest to err on the side of being conservative and take that gap year. Your health is more important that enrolling in college.

Need help figuring out where to go for your mental health gap program? I got you.

For questions or comments contact Joanna.