My daughter has just been kicked out of college due to her anxiety and depression issues. Basically she was put on a fitness to learn programme last year but it was just for the one year, this year she was constantly told that she wasn't on the programme anymore so basically had to shape up. Now she has just been told, due to her absences there is nothing more they can do to help her and it's best if she leaves. She feels such a failiure and they have suceeded in making her feel worse than before. Is this right that they can do this?
Doesnt seem ethical to me at all... And discriminatory!. I would seek professional advice.. Bless her. Sending hugs..xx
Hi Tracey. What's your daughters attendance being like? Did she has support it get her to college? Have you provided college with medical evidence? Colleges do ask students to leave if they have low attendance.
Hey Amber, the college was aware of her problems as they have actually witnessed her in the middle of severe panic attacks. I have given them details of her doctor and explained to them that her doctor has said if they need any evidence to contact them. I have to admit she has only made it in two weeks since september, but this is due to the tutors telling her over and over again that she is not on a fitness to learn contract this year so she has to pull herself together (as if she can turn attacks and depression on and off) also due to the fact there is a rather obnoxious lad in her class that intimidates her.
Disgusting. Similar thing happened to me as a mature student. Great till I started suffering from anxiety. To cut a long story short, uni agreeded to me having a year out and they deferred that year. This gave me time to deal with issues and went back the next year. Could your daughter not do that? If not could she do an online degree/course. It would occupy her, give her something to feel good about herself. Do agree about the discrimination aspect though.
suppose she had a heart condition, or needy chemo, daily dialysis etc, no uni would kick a student out for that. It winds me up that just because you can't see anxiety/depression like a broken leg, people who've never suffered from it, think it's an excuse and it's something nasty so brush it under the carpet.
your daughter is obviously intelligent to go to uni. There are ways to get a degree without uni. My daughter is doing NVQ level 5 (degree standard) whilst working
With people who have mental health issues (like her mum!!). She is not a failure and please keep in touch as to how she's doing.
This is terrible. I actually want to swear. It doesn't seem very accommodating at all to your daughters needs. Please tell her from me,she didn't fail,she did all she could do,they failed her!!
My sons just completed his level 1 and started level 2 in plastering and the have stopped his course because there are not enough people in the class.
It disgusts me. It really does.
Your daughter is not a failure..she is awesome..So many if us adults can't even step a foot through the door with anxiety and depression so the fact that she often made it to college is brilliant.
I would certainly think about writing to your local paper or your MP and telling them what has happened.
Im really sorry this has happened to your girl but this is not it for her. One day all this anxiety and depression will be a distant memory and she will be able to stand up and show em what she's made of xx
Well said Gillian. To me it's total discrimination. Tracey you're daughter is not a failure. See my earlier suggestions
Thank you all so much, my daughter has read your replies and feels better for it. I am going to take it further, I mean how many more people are going to punished for suffering from anxiety and depression.
Hi again Tracey. Just home so can read the messages on her properly.
It doesn't sound like the college are being supportive to the needs of your daughter. How did she get on last year? What was her attendance like?
I work in education welfare so support young people with anxiety and depression in accessing education. I've found some establishments to be absolutely wonderful and others to be very dismissive.
The issue with college aged students is they are no longer compulsory school age so it seems schools and colleges will just ask students to leave if they are not attending.
Please feel free to message me. I'd love to be able to help. I think education is so important and I'd love your daughter to be able to access a supportive environment,
Her attendance last year, after being put on the fitness to learn, was pretty much ok. She was always up to date with her work. Since september this year I have to admit her attendance has not been good, first my Mum (her Nan) was rushed into hospital with heart failure which was serious then she fell ill with a flu virus and what with her panic attacks at high level due to a lad in her class that intimidates her, things have been really bad, I explained this to the college, but it was like they had one thing on their mind and that was to ask her to leave.
Is there another college that she could go to?
It sounds like a terrible start to the academic year for her.
I really wish the college could be supportive.
And when I say terrible, I mean the things happening around, not your daughter being terrible.
The college she attended is basically down the road within walking distance which was perfect for her. I feel I need to complain about how they handled the situation but I don't know who to complain to.
Write to the head or principal.
Citizens advice bureau is a good start. Or human resources for the college. I would start with the HR and if you get no joy then go to the citizens advice bureau xx
Thanks guys
Tracey write to the principal/ top person at the uni and ask what criteria they use in deciding to ask students to leave. Would they ask a student who needs chemo, surgery, numerous hospital appointments to leave? I don't think so! In my opinion they are discriminating against your daughter.
That's my point exactly, I will most certainly be writing to the head.