Applying for college - health disclosure

I am considering applying for a college course that will allow me to progress onto a foundation degree. I was going through the online application and at the bottom it had a section -

"Additional Learning Support

Please tick this box if you would like us to arrange a confidential interview to discuss the support options we can offer, to ensure that you can fully access your course. We can provide a range of support for learners, disabilities, learning difficulties and medical conditions, for example learners with dyslexia, visual and hearing impairments, mobility difficulties, mental health difficulties and epilepsy."

I am stumped at the moment because I don't know whether I should disclose the fact that I have a diagnosis of 'unspecified personality disorder - traits of BPD and traits of Histrionic PD', or whether I should keep quiet. What do they mean by mental health difficulties anyway?

On one hand I think that if I disclose the said info - I may get support if I need it and I've been honest about my personal circumstances. On the other hand I'm anxious that it could go against me. I'm also anxious that it will be passed onto future academic institutions/employers who may or may not be empathetic.

I would like to be able to attend this course as I have aspirations of working as a paramedic which would involve a further 2 years at a university for a foundation degree.

Could someone please advise?

Thanks in advance!

I'm going to be really frank here.


First off, if you are not having depressive episodes that are keeping you in bed for weeks, and not allowing you to go to classes, or work, or the grocery store, I would NOT list BPD on there.

Now, I see where you're going with receiving services should you need them. THESE SERVICES WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE TO YOU. Whether or not you go and outright list yourself as BPD, OR you have future problems that hinder you from making it to class or completing assignments.

If it were up to me, I would NOT disclose it unless or until there is a reason to do so. I think your fears of this "branding" you forever in work documents and such may NOT follow you place to place, but if you asked for a referral, they may be kind of iffy about doing so - and your work should speak for itself.

Just my 10 cents.

<3

AMP

I think your fears of this "branding" you forever in work documents and such may NOT follow you place to place, but if you asked for a referral, they may be kind of iffy about doing so - and your work should speak for itself.

Miss Ali

Thanks for your response. I have quoted the above because I'm not too clear about what you mean about me asking for a referral. Do you mean that they (college?) would be reluctant to give me a positive reference based on the information that I have divulged?

Thx

Good Afternoon Mind Bopper,

For several years I was working with post secondary students and also signing off on academic accommodations. I do not work with student population anymore but I still work with confidential and sensitive personal information. I will try to help.

Disclosing your disability is certainly your choice and in no way an obligation. If you do not feel you will need any additional assistance from the Counselling and Disability Office you absolutely do not need to register. Or, you may choose to register at a later date. Disclosing your disability will not negatively affect you in any way. All of us have heard stories about insensitive Counsellors, but majority of people who work with students with mental health (and other) issues are professional and helpful. As a DS registered student you will have access to academic accommodations (extra time on tests and exams, separate room to write your exams, no penalty for classes missed due to mental health related reasons, extended time for assignments, etc), disability counselling (which you may use in conjunction with personal counselling if you choose so), workshops on topics such as when and how to disclose, assertiveness, test anxiety, etc and specialized bursaries. Different post secondary institutions do thing slightly differently, but some general principles remain the same.

On the accommodation sheet that I was giving to students , I have never listed what type of disability they’ve had. I would simply state the supports they should be getting for classes and/or exams. Teachers are generally obligated to follow these recommendations unless they are clearly unreasonable, which does not happen often. I have always encouraged students to disclose that they have A disability but never what TYPE of disability they have. If you have any concerns you can always discuss them with your Disability Counsellor.

These are some of the facts. There is no right or wrong answer, you should do what you feel is right. I have regularly had students who would schedule a meeting with me just to “feel” if they’d like to pursue with the registration. We would chat, I would show them our resource center, testing rooms, answer their questions, etc. Some of them decided to register the very next day, some I have never seen again

This is DS in a nutshel, I did not want to make this post too longl. If you or anyone else have any other questions regarding disclosure or academic accommodations please PM me. I wish you all the best

Dear Santorini

Thank you very much for your insight; and providing some really helpful options. I definitely will think about what you have mentioned. I feel hopeful

Thank you