Katherine A. Lapierre, chief of Student Mental Health Services, says that though misperceptions about leaves of absence abound, students are never forced to leave the University involuntarily because of mental health problems.

In a statement, UHS spokesperson Lindsey Baker echoes that assertion. “SMHS is not in a position to require leave of absence,” Baker writes. “Our only policy is that students receive the best care possible, and the student, together with the University, makes decisions about the leave of absence.”

Even though the College does not compel students to deal with their mental health problems away from Harvard, it can put pressure on them. Alexa, who suffers from bipolar disorder, says that both before and after she attempted suicide, UHS doctors, tutors, her resident dean, and her House Masters all often encouraged her to take time off, an option she did not want to exercise.

Students who anticipate hearing similar suggestions from therapists and deans might avoid telling Harvard administrators about their mental health problems, Alexa worries. “The fear of mandatory time off thwarts any positive things that are going on,” she says.

Christine, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, reached out to UHS after attempting suicide her sophomore year and was surprised no one forced her to take time off. She says she worried that visiting UHS could jeopardize her future.

“I thought my career at Harvard would be over,” Christine says. “I was shocked by the extremely nurturing support I received from my resident dean and resident tutors as well as Harvard Mental Health Services. No one at any point viewed me as a threat to Harvard or the wellbeing of the community. Everyone wanted me to get better.”

DISTANCE LEARNING

A leave of absence, for some who do elect to spend time off campus, is just the right medicine.

During his year away, Martin backpacked through sixteen countries, held an internship in politics (where he learned he “absolutely” did not want to go into politics), and painted. He returned to Harvard free from suicidal thoughts.

“Getting out and experiencing the world gave me perspective of what I could do in the world,” he says. “It made me realize that I did not have to succeed on Harvard’s standards in order to succeed in the world. I could really do what I wanted with my life.”

Mackenzie left Harvard after her junior year. Living at home, she was able to hold a job and receive counseling. “I met people who didn’t think less of me away from Harvard,” she says. “I actually realized that life outside of here is a lot easier. For the first time I thought, ‘Maybe life won’t actually get harder. Maybe some things will be easier outside of Harvard.’”

For Christine, life away from Harvard was not easier at all. She took a year off after her second hospitalization in the spring of her sophomore year, but she had no money and no ties to her family to fall back on. No longer living in a dorm, she moved into an abandoned building in Central Square.

“It took a lot of courage,” she says. Yet away from an academic environment, she found right away that she could focus on religion, which brought her solace despite her health concerns and her living situation. “I remember not being stressed out not knowing what I’d do for my year off.”

Christine eventually found a job at a West Coast company, though she had no money to fly across the country.

“I told them, ‘You need to fly me out there and you need to advance my first paycheck.’ They said it wasn’t a problem, and I got to start building myself a life and a home,” she says.