Mental health - university choices and applications

[FoffFoffFoff]

I found a thread from last year that I was going to resurrect, but decided better form to start my own.

Dc in y12->13, severe anxiety and some depression. Quite young for age (not going to take a year out, that would make the anxiety worse). Social anxiety also.

Assume campus universities better suited than city universities? Dc aiming for RG-type universities.

Please share the names of any universities that your DC with MH issues have found good. Any to avoid?

Preferably in England as don't want DC to be too far away and not be able to easily reach/return if there is a crisis.

Previous thread I read also said to declare these MH issues on UCAS form - will that limit their acceptances to course directors with supportive attitudes? Guess better to rule out unsupportive courses, but would rather know in advance so as not to waste a choice.

Most open days currently online so can't just wander up and ask.

Ah you understand then

Obviously I don't understand all anxious teens but I understand the worry of parenting them. Dd wants control and I'm a bit brutal about making sure she can't always expect to have it. She will often asks me what I think is going to happen in a particular situation and sometimes I will say I just don't know you'll have to play it by ear, which makes me feel terrible sometimes but gradually it's helping. She's most definitely taking a year off befoee uni and chose a uni about an hour and a half away on the same train line as our local town.

@handmademitlove the massive spreadsheet reminds me of DD2 who had an enormous list of unis/courses based on possible results outcomes/impressions at visits/accommodation etc. It gave her a feeling of control over the situation.

First year can throw up many challenges, some of which can be anticipated and some of which cant. A little self knowledge will go a long way.

DD rejected her offer from Bristol in favour of Sheffield because she felt Sheffield would be more supportive. Bristol gave off a definite vibe of 'keep up, keep up'. Fine if you do always 'keep up' but I think everyone has wobbles sometimes.

@handmademitlove - I am super impressed with the sound of the spreadsheet, not something my DC would be able to do, but it would certainly save me some time.

She is well aware that modules etc can change and that staff change. For her, the personal replies are about how much staff understand the need for easy access to information, how willing they are to help and how they show understanding of her particular issues. Some of the answers have been very helpful. Emails stating the information can be found on their website are not helpful - she has already trawled all their websites for information and only emailed when she couldn't find the answer. For us, we need to allow her to do this her own way. It is part of the process to figure out how to decide and information gathering is her way in most things!

DD is home so I talked to her about this thread. These are her thoughts:

• choice of institution - look for best fit rather than best. There is a lot of pressure to go to the institution with the highest tariff but that wont necessarily be the best for your DC.

• choice of course - be wary of courses which cross departments as departments are not good at talking or coordinating with each other.

• DD has recorded 'adaptations' for dealing with her MH problems eg extended times for certain types of assessment, being allowed to arrive slightly late for lectures (avoiding crowds). These were agreed with the Learning Support team but she does have to regularly remind tutors.

• Get used to being 'that student' and dont care about it!

• If DD had her time again she said she would probably aim for single sex accommodation.

@GnomeDePlume
Thank you - very useful.
I was worrying about 'adaptions' - e.g. how easy is it to get the exam access arrangements that are agreed by school to be adopted by the university also.

My DC is also routinely late for most things so as to avoid waiting with others so interesting to hear that can be an official adaptation.

Is Learning Support the same as what other places call Disability Support?

DC already firmly 'that student' at sixth form... (including with teachers/invigilators who assume DC is using their exam arrangements to gain an unfair advantage/cheat ). Can't think university will be any worse...

If a student needs a particular type of accommodation (e.g. ensuite or studio) because of their disability the additional cost should be covered. The need for a particular type of accommodation should be included in the DSA needs assessment

Bear with me, I am a bit confused by the DSA discussion. DD has PTSD following a traumatic event, and anxiety, diagnosed, many years of private counselling. She didn't put anything on UCAS, but did mention need for quiet accommodation direct to the university, which she got. I really can't think of anything else she would need, really didn't think about it tbh. I thought DSA was for those with SEN or physical disabilities, who need specialist equipment and academic support?

DSA covers a wide range of support and disabilities. Those with mental health conditions are just as entitled as those with physical disabilities or SpLD. For example, travel expenses if walking &/or public transport is too overwhelming. A mentor, a printer if going to the library if overwhelming, software for making studying when anxious easier, accommodation adjustments (does DD need an ensuite, some with MH conditions find sharing bathrooms too stressful) ... it depends on DD's needs. DD should apply. Here is more information

overworkedrobot. Thanks, yes she does have an en-suite, that was her bottom line, along with quiet. She was very lucky to get that this year, as so many didn't get any of their first preferences.

I really don't think she needs anything else. We've been working on all the life skills she previously struggled with over the last couple of years, like shopping on her own, travelling into London to see her sister. She took the train into school every day over the last couple of years. Academically she doesn't need anything. I think she will be OK, she actually has benefitted from being more independent, and I am hopeful university life will extend this further.

I think once adaptations are agreed then largely it seems to be a case of reminding tutors very frequently.

Through DSA DD was provided with laptop and printer plus supplies for the printer. The laptop is pre-installed with software which makes it easier for her to focus during anxious periods.

In all things DD says that the student needs to get used to advocating for themselves. On the whole tutors are happy enough to help but won't go out of their way to offer help.

DD also said to be aware that counselling services are stretched thin. Also this is counselling so not necessarily extensively trained. DD was able to access a trained therapist but that was external to the university and was via a charity.

software which makes it easier for her to focus during anxious periods
We know about Freedom, but is there one more specific to anxiety?

FoffFoff It depends on DD's needs, and generally isn't like Freedom. More along the lines of speech to text software or text to speech, screen mask software, notetaking or mind mapping programme, study skills or coping software. All of which some people with anxiety find helpful. You can get an idea of some of the software available here.

Bigwoollyjumpers DD wasn't lucky to get an en-suite, it is a reasonable adjustment for her disability.

Someone, like DD, who needs an en-suite because of their disability, including MH difficulties, should not be charged the extra amount for the ensuite. The university shouldn't pass the cost on if it is in house accommodation or run by a 3rd party on their behalf. For private rentals the additional cost is claimed back via DSA.

@ Bryonyshcmyony Please can you say more about Edinburgh- dd with previous mental health issues going there next weekend. This is what I feared but please tell me the truth as you see it, even if it is anecdotes.
Thank you

Dragon Speech is the particular software DD uses but her advice is go to DSA and say yes to everything. DD said she didnt think overlays would help but is now a fan.

The software loaded on DD's laptop and the laptop itself would have been very expensive to buy privately. Accessing this via DSA has been a real benefit to DD.

Having the printer means that DD can print out work/presentations/texts when viewing on screen just isnt working.

Remember that dealing with DSA is to get help on bad days not the good days so look and act bad day not good day. DSA will be looking for reasons not to help.

Your DC needs to be clear on which activities they need help with (and not minimise this need).

DSA will be looking for reasons not to help

That's interesting, we didn't find that. DD2 was offered much more support than she received at school, and it is a world away from the constant battles with EHCPs we have for DS1 and DS3. I know others have had similar experiences. Nothing like DLA or PIP either.

I completely agree, it's important o give an accurate picture, many teens downplay their difficulties.

DD certainly received more help but it wasnt being offered. She had to ask for it and be very clear on what help was needed.

I was worrying about 'adaptions' - e.g. how easy is it to get the exam access arrangements that are agreed by school to be adopted by the university also.

Once DD had a diagnosis, she had no problems getting exam arrangements:

1. Extra time for all assessed coursework
2. Extra time in exams
3. Movement breaks
4. Room on her own, so she wouldn't be distracted by the noise of others

DSA gave her a Dictaphone to record lectures to aid memory; print cartridges, a study mentor (to teach study skills and keep her on track) and iirc offered £200 towards a laptop; but she already had one.

However, while the university was much more switched on than the school (who were useless); mental health services were so stretched as to be non existent. The University counselling service offered 6 sessions, but DD's mental health problems were beyond their expertise; and all the NHS did were assessments - they didn't offer any treatment except group sessions such as "Tips to avoid depression". DD didn't have depression! I paid for private counselling.

PS Eventually DD took a leave of absence of 18 months, as she could get the treatment she needed from our home mental health trust.

They will all say they cater for mh issues and support her. Anecdotally that is not always the case and not all have wellbeing and healthcare facilities onsite. Catered accommodation or dine around systems are readily available. If she registers her mh as a disability she may be able to get priority for catered or quieter accommodation. Is a year out an option, so she can spend time at open days and speak to the disability services staff. DSA offers funding for mentor support as well as practical equipment and adjustments such as extended deadlines and exam access arrangements.

Thanks overworkedrobot, Intercity225, LIZS and Gnomedeplume.

@GnomeDePlume That is really interesting about the software and printing.
My DC finds it hard to read things on a screen and much prefers to read them printed out or in a book etc.
I thought that was just a peculiarity for them, but clearly this is a feature of some mental health conditions.
Does your DD have a diagnosis for this - or is there a name for it? That would help me look into it better and help DC.

It is not helpful that some universities are 'saving the planet' by not sending out printed prospectuses. Whilst DC can read the details for an individual course on a screen, they won't flick through a whole prospectus online. Also very expensive as the school have changed some of the textbook provision so it is not a borrowed copy with a number that is lent out for the year then returned, they have purchased a subscription to the publisher so the pupils can have unlimited online access etc - a great idea in practice, but DC just can't read that much online at a time so I have to buy all the textbooks.

I will look into overlays.

Plus need to think about pros and cons of catered/self-catering accommodation. Definitely think DC will be asking for quiet accommodation though.

DD has depression, anxiety and PTSD

She finds the overlays helpful as they stop her from getting into a loop where she is reading and rereading the same sentence over and over.

She finds some of the text to speech and speech to text software less useful as they tend not to be so good with the more esoteric scientific terminology.

She found Articulate useful for creating her own presentations and mind maps.

To be honest a lot of the reading at degree level is now in online format as well, the journals are all held in massive databases or accessed via Jstor. I finished my MA a couple of years ago and most of the reading list was available online, in fact I don’t think I ever accessed a physical journal. Books were mostly physical but often the extracts would be digitised. I am not a fan of reading online so spent a fortune on printing , although as PP have said there are some great software packages out there to help with this.

One of the modifications I did notice was for longer library borrowing periods and priority access.

Thanks GnomeDePlume.

I have goggled and found coloured tinted overlays for printed material and for computer screens too (software?). E.g. for dyslexia, but seemingly of benefit for other conditions. Will show DC later and see if they are interested.

We’ve just been through this. Daughter suffers from anxiety & then last year (y13) depression also. Finishing sixth form end of May she has made massive improvements & for the first time I have my daughter back & laughter!! She has even been signed of therapy - one more session before she goes!

She had chosen a RG uni 1 hour away train so she could have the option of halls/home if it all become to much & support being close by. The original uni wasn’t a campus type one with halls being away from uni. After a faff on results day she has now decided to stay in a campus uni closer to home! She is still doing halls but again has the option of staying home if needed in the future.

It means she can still access her local therapist (though zoom was always an option) which gives her peace of mind. I feel the smaller campus type uni already has been supportive of her MH. The support is already far far better than the RG one - it’s really given me peace of mind!