The article is developed in partnership with BetterHelp

In recent years, colleges and universities have witnessed a growing demand for academic accommodations to support students experiencing mental health conditions. Across campuses nationwide, there has been a notable increase in students registering for disability services, particularly for mental health conditions.

Many universities have responded to this trend by introducing innovative accommodations to prioritize the well-being of their students. From campus-wide initiatives to targeted programs for specific student groups, the goal is to create an environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

With the increase in accommodation requests comes the challenge of navigating documentation requirements and ensuring consistency in how accommodations are provided. While accommodations are essential for supporting students’ academic success and well-being, there is a need for clearer guidelines and procedures to effectively address accommodation requests.

And as the demand for accommodations continues to grow, it’s essential for colleges and universities to prioritize mental health and implement strategies that promote well-being and success for all students.

The State of Well-being on College Campuses

Well-being encompasses several factors, including physical health, mental health, nutrition, exercise, sleep and access to medical care. While colleges can’t eliminate all stressors or prevent all emotional discomfort, they play a crucial role in promoting healthy behaviors and providing resources to support students in times of need.

Many colleges offer well-being resources and programs for all students, regardless of their background, identity or current mental health conditions. These initiatives are designed to prevent and mitigate stress and promote healthy habits among students.

Examples include educational workshops on nutrition, physical activity, stress management and mindfulness. By raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health, colleges create an environment where students feel comfortable asking for help when they need it.

Mental Health Screening and Support Services

During orientation programs, some colleges provide mental health screenings to help students understand their well-being and connect them with campus resources. Counseling centers play a vital role in providing support to students experiencing distress.

Research has shown that psychotherapy and counseling services offered on campus can significantly benefit students in managing their mental health challenges. These are important efforts to engage in, alongside academic accommodations.

Leveraging Technology for Support

With the rise of digital platforms, colleges have started incorporating technology-enabled methods for supporting student mental health. Online mental health applications and virtual support tools offer supplementary resources for students, especially during times when in-person services may be limited.

Supporting Specific Student Populations

Recognizing that different student groups may face unique challenges; colleges have implemented targeted programs to support their diverse student bodies. For example, initiatives for Black, Indigenous and Students of Color aim to address systemic inequalities and provide culturally competent support services. Similarly, programs for students with disabilities focus on accommodating their specific needs and reducing barriers to academic success.

In addition, first-generation college students often lack the support and/or institutional knowledge necessary for navigating the complexities of higher education. Many colleges offer programs and resources tailored to address the unique challenges these students face, including financial barriers, academic support and fostering a sense of belonging on campus.

What are Reasonable Academic Accommodations?

Federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act exist to protect students with disabilities from discrimination and make sure they have access to essential accommodations that support their academic success. Bottom line: Colleges must treat students with disabilities as equals to students without disabilities.

Academic accommodations include a wide range of adjustments that can be tailored to meet individual students’ specific needs. Research has shown that when students receive person-specific support, they can achieve academic success comparable to their peers without disabilities.

Below are a few different types of academic accommodations that students with mental health conditions may qualify for, along with some examples. Please note that many of these accommodations are also helpful for students with communicative disorders – if you’d like to learn more about treatments for communicative disorders, find out more from online therapy service BetterHelp.

Classroom/Accommodations

In the classroom setting, several accommodations can be implemented to create an inclusive learning environment – like any of the following:

• Preferential seating: Offering seating options that minimize distractions or provide easier access to exits can help students manage anxiety or sensory overload.
• Peer support: Assigning a buddy or volunteer assistant/coach to accompany the student in class can provide valuable assistance, such as note-taking or offering reassurance during challenging moments.
• Lecture adjustments: pre-arranged breaks and audio recording of lectures can reduce stress and allow a student to better engage with course material.
• Note-taking assistance: Providing access to class notes or a designated note-taker can relieve the pressure of capturing information in real-time.
• Attendance flexibility: This usually entails excusing absences if a student misses’ class to receive treatment for their mental health condition.

Testing Accommodations

During exams, tailored accommodations like the following can promote a fair assessment process:

• Flexible testing formats: Allowing alternative formats such as essays or oral exams can lessen the impact of test anxiety or learning differences.
• Extended time: Providing extra time for exams lets students focus on content rather than time constraints, which can help reduce performance anxiety.
• Individualized proctoring: Creating a quiet, distraction-free environment for exams helps students concentrate and perform to the best of their abilities. A private environment or alternate location to take exams is also ideal for students whose test anxiety or stress causes verbal or physical tics that can be distracting to other students.

Assignment Accommodations

When it comes to assignments, instructors can offer flexibility and support in the following ways:

• Substitute assignments: Offering alternative ways to demonstrate mastery of course material can accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
• Advance notice and modified deadlines: Providing clarity on assignment expectations and allowing extra time can alleviate stress and facilitate effective planning.
• Assistance during difficulties: Offering support during periods of heightened symptoms ensures that students can stay on track with their coursework.

Administrative Accommodations

Administrative accommodations address broader structural aspects of academic life and may look like any of the following:

• Course modifications: Tailoring course requirements or degree pathways on a case-by-case basis ensures students can meet academic standards without undue hardship. These types of modifications are appropriate only if requested changes would not substantially alter foundational elements of a course or program, or if courses are required for licensure.

In addition, if a student has finished most coursework but is unable to complete the remainder of a course before semester end, negotiating an incomplete grade rather than a failure can help make sure a student won’t have to repay or retake the entire course in order to complete it.

• Orientation and support services: Providing guidance on campus resources and administrative procedures equips students with the tools they need to effectively navigate university life.
• Flexible enrollment status: Adapting enrollment criteria to accommodate individual needs, such as adjusting full-time status requirements, ensures fair access to financial aid and other benefits.
• Facility support: small items like parking passes, an elevator key or access to a private lounge can make a big difference for students with mental health conditions. For example, anxiety and other mental health conditions can physically and emotionally prevent a student from crossing the campus, climbing several sets of stairs or sustaining energy for a day of classes when they would otherwise be capable of attending class. These supports make the environment more accessible and “friendly,” and are usually inexpensive and easy to arrange.

How to Access Accommodations on Your Campus

If you’re a college student needing academic accommodations, it’s important to understand where to start. First, you must understand that the responsibility for arranging academic accommodations lies with the student – students must notify the school of their mental health condition and request specific reasonable accommodations.

Every campus is different, so it’s important to research the process for requesting accommodations on your specific campus.

It’s likely that your campus has a disability services office or office of student accommodations, which should provide written instructions on how to request accommodations. This information is often on the school website, or you can directly contact the office itself to request information on the specific process for your campus.

When you make your request, your school may ask you for documentation of your mental health condition. For example, you may be required to submit documentation prepared by a health care professional, such as a medical doctor, psychologist, or other qualified diagnostician.

Documentation typically includes at least one of the following: a diagnosis of your current mental health condition; date of diagnosis; how the diagnosis was reached; credentials of the health care professional; how your condition affects a major life activity; and how the condition affects your academic performance. Documentation should provide enough information for you and your school to decide what a reasonable accommodation or academic adjustment entails for you.

Barriers to Reasonable Accommodations on College Campuses

As you begin the process of requesting accommodations, please note that despite the good intentions of staff, many disability offices struggle with defining “reasonable accommodations” for students with mental health conditions, fearing that some students might exploit accommodations – such as flexibility in class participation or attendance. This lack of clarity can pose significant barriers to students who need accommodations to thrive academically.

In addition, common concerns among faculty, staff and administrators when working with students with mental health conditions include the following:

Uncertainty: Many staff members have expressed uncertainty about how to effectively support students with mental health conditions, highlighting the need for enhanced training and resources.

Behavioral challenges: Classroom behavior problems were cited as a significant issue, indicating the importance of implementing strategies to proactively address these challenges.

Attendance and academic performance: Concerns about student attendance and academic performance underscore the need for tailored accommodations to support students’ success.

Addressing the Knowledge Gap

To bridge this gap, several strategies are needed to enhance the expertise of disability services offices and improve support for students with mental illnesses. Here are a few:

Training and education: Boosting disability services offices’ knowledge about mental illnesses through information materials and training opportunities for staff, faculty, and students.

Community partnerships: Encouraging partnerships with off-campus community agencies that offer support services, such as counseling and education programs tailored to students with mental illnesses.

Collaboration: Facilitating collaboration between mental health providers and college disability offices to ensure that students receive appropriate accommodations and support.

Flexible Attendance and Academic Support
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, colleges must provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. For students with mental health conditions, these accommodations often include flexible attendance policies and academic support services.

At some universities, accommodations may include part-time workloads, extended deadlines, and academic coaching to help students manage challenges with executive functions. These accommodations not only support students’ academic success but also contribute to their overall well-being.

Challenges and Opportunities
Recent rapid increases in accommodation requests have prompted discussions about documentation requirements and faculty responses. Faculty members, while generally supportive of accommodations, may feel overwhelmed by the rising demand and concerned about potential abuses of the system.

But advocates emphasize the importance of focusing on treatment alongside accommodations and promoting universal design for learning to make education more accessible to all students.

Embracing Universal Design for Learning
Universal design for learning, which emphasizes inclusive teaching practices that benefit all students, holds promise for reducing the need for accommodations in the long term. By creating learning environments that accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities, faculty can support the success of all students, regardless of any physical or mental health challenges they face. This proactive approach not only promotes equity and accessibility but also enhances the overall quality of education for everyone.

The Bottom Line

Colleges and universities play a crucial role in supporting student mental health through a variety of accommodations and initiatives. Moving forward, it is essential for higher education institutions to prioritize mental health and adopt proactive strategies to address the diverse needs of their student populations.

As colleges and universities continue to grapple with the mental health conditions many students experience, accommodations play a vital role in supporting their well-being and academic success. By implementing innovative accommodations, institutions can create inclusive environments where all students can thrive.

And by researching and fully understanding the range of accommodations offered on your campus, you can make sure you’re using all the tools at your disposal to make sure your time on campus is as healthy and productive as possible.