Presenters: Eve Hill, JD, Brown Goldstein & Levy and Inclusivity Strategic Consulting and Jennifer Mathis, JD, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Many college students experience disabling levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. According to the 2016 National College Health Assessment, almost 40% reported feeling “so depressed it was difficult to function” at some point in the prior 12 months, 19% felt overwhelming anxiety, and 10% had seriously considered suicide. Yet many schools lack comprehensive policies for responding to students with mental health issues or do so in discriminatory or punitive ways, requiring students to leave school or evicting them from campus housing. Some charge students with disciplinary violations for suicidal gestures or thoughts. These and similar practices discourage students from seeking help, isolating them from social and professional supports at times of crisis.
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is committed to the civil rights, full inclusion, and equality of adults and children with mental disabilities. The Center was pivotal in passage of the ADA and employs cutting-edge litigation to effect progressive systemic change and impact public policy. AHEAD is pleased to partner with attorneys from the Bazelon Center to offer this webinar on facilitating access for students with mental health conditions in higher education, including determining reasonable accommodations, ensuring that voluntary and involuntary medical leaves and nondiscriminatory, and identifying strategies for working with campus disciplinary processes and other campus systems.