question about ucas application - what do you think i should put for the mental health bit? because ive never been diagnosed with anything so should i just put that i have no mental health problems? i wasnt sure because i know theres something but like i said ive never had a diagnosis.
also, would they be more likely to turn me away if they knew that i did have bad mental health??
They cant turn you away - it would be classed as discrimination. I think the box is so that they are aware if you do get in that you may need extra support. If you havent been diagnosed theres no need to put anything unless you want to. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After all this has passed, i still will remain
After i've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
As said they're not allowed to discriminate. However most universities need a doctors note before they can put in extra support in place as it comes from the Disabled Student's Allowance that you need to be assessed and apply for if you want more support.
Also at our uni students who have a recognised mental health condition can do something called early induction, basically go to uni the week before to settle in before the mayhem of freshers week.
So whilst I don't think you can put it if you haven't seen anyone about it, it may well be worth seeing someone about it and then put it.
You don't have to have a diagnosis to put down. You can just tick the box even if you've not recently been diagnosed with anything (that's what I did). They're not going to ask for proof anyway because it goes against patient confidentiality. And no - they won't turn you away for having a mental health probelm as they're not allowed to. All putting "yes" down for mental health problems is informing the university of it so you can get more support from them.
Hope this helps and good luck with your application!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
^Actually I think you are wrong. Most universities can and will ask for a letter from your doctor, it doesn't have to be too specific,which allows for some confidentiality, but whilst ucas itself wont ask for proof universities do. After all if they didn't people would probably try and abuse the system to get deadline extentions and longer exam periods. And it doesn't go against patient confidentiality if you allow the doctor to share information with them which is what happens. You have the right to not disclose the information but that means missing out on the support.
However its also worth mentioning that all universities have counselling services and these are open to people with or without a diagnosed mental health issue.
Heidi Tiger: you might be right...I don't know as I didn't really read the small print when I was applying for university. I put "yes" for mental health problems down, but I'm not sure if UCAS ever asked for proof from my doctor. They might have done without my knowledge
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
No UCAS itself wouldn't do that. And they can't ask your doctor without your knowledge. However ticking that box on the UCAS will go to your university and they will be the ones who ask for a note from your doctor possibly after you arrive in september . Hope that clarifies things a little.
Yeah, that clarifies things a bit. All that happened to me is that I got a letter from the University Counselling Service when I got to uni, asking if I needed support, because I had said on my UCAS form that I had a MH problem.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
Obviously going to the doctors about it is your choice. However what I would say is don't go unless you are going to commit yourself to try and get better, be that through counselling, therapy or medication. Also remember diagnosis can take a while as its a complex thing. However if you feel you need the extra support to be able to function at uni then perhaps it is worth deciding to get help.
thank you for asking this, i have the same problem with UCAS. do you see anyone for your problems, like the CMHT? if you do i think you should put it down, with or without a formal diagnosis, because it will help them be more understanding. you could also ask whoever you see for what they think, or if you felt comfortable, your head of year.
When I put down that I had MH problems on my UCAS form, one of the universities got in contact with me saying that they thought my course might be too demanding for me, and did I want to change my application from BSc psychology w/ counselling to BSc psychology.
Except they were going on about things I'd never mentioned; citing their offer as due to the fact that I had huge problems with anxiety and depression. I'd not written the word anxiety in any of my correspondence with them so I've no idea where that came from *shrug* Universities might read it the wrong way I guess.
Wow, a ramble. I figure - if you're going to apply for DSA then put it down. If you think you're not going to need the extra support, then don't put it down.
For those doubts that swirl all around us
For those lives that tear at the seams
We know… we’re not what we’ve seen
For this dance we’ll move with each other
There ain’t no other step than one foot
Right in front of the other
scath i know its true for nursing courses it might have been what happened in your case. Universitys can request a copy of your medical notes and often ask for a supporting note from your gp. Thats where they may have got the information from.
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After all this has passed, i still will remain
After i've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Oh they'd not asked my GP for anything, nor my CAMHS team. They just, straight off the bat without asking for evidence or anything, said that the course was too demanding.
Which I find annoying, as I accepted the same course at another uni and have just finished my first year and loved it.
For those doubts that swirl all around us
For those lives that tear at the seams
We know… we’re not what we’ve seen
For this dance we’ll move with each other
There ain’t no other step than one foot
Right in front of the other
Im glad you love the course :)
I actually dont think that they have to ask for permission. Even so i think that it was wrong of them to turn you down without hearing your side/opinion
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After all this has passed, i still will remain
After i've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
I'm pretty sure they do need permission, because what of the four universities I didn't go to out of the five I applied for? None of them have the right to see my medical files unless I'm definitely going there and definitely applying for support. And they wouldn't even get to see my case notes; they'd only get a letter of confirmation of something along those lines from my psych or GP.
Sorry for de-railing the thread (but thanks for the interesting discussion ). Einmyria, have you decided what you're going to put down?
For those doubts that swirl all around us
For those lives that tear at the seams
We know… we’re not what we’ve seen
For this dance we’ll move with each other
There ain’t no other step than one foot
Right in front of the other
I really dont know. At the moment I think i will just leave it as having no mental illness. I can always go to a uni councellor and get the support if i think i do need it once im there, right?
At the moment i dont see anyone- i went to the gp and then camhs once so my medical record i imagine will have SH and stuff on it. but it never got further than that and im not willing to try again so i guess ill just leave it for now. though there are still the benefits.... i dont know...
). Einmyria, have you decided what you're going to put down?