When to Take a Mental Health Leave of Absence from College or Work

Stepping away from college or a job can be a tough decision to make. It’s natural for young people to want to push through and succeed, whether that means getting a good GPA or making themselves invaluable to their team at work. But when a young adult is dealing with a mental health issue, white-knuckling through each class, exam, or project usually makes the problem worse.

While education and career are important, taking care of your mental health comes first. It’s not possible for a young adult to thrive at school or at work if they’re struggling to keep up and unable to fully enjoy or benefit from the experience. If that’s the case, it may be necessary for them to take a mental health break from work, also known as a stress leave, or a mental health leave of absence from college.

Key Takeaways

• One-third of young adult employees are concerned about their mental health, and 40% of college students are struggling with their depression.
• Signs of burnout at work or school include irritability, lack of motivation, loss of interest in daily activities, and mental and physical exhaustion.
• If a student’s or employee’s mental health condition is preventing them from functioning well, or they are in crisis, a leave of absence from work or school may be necessary.
• When a young person is struggling in the workplace or on campus, it’s essential for them to consider options for change, seek support, and access mental healthcare.

How Striving to Succeed Can Lead to Mental Health Issues

Young adults are still developing their sense of self and establishing their place in the world. They may not know yet who they want to be or what path they want to take in life. That means they’re often looking outside themselves for direction. And they may be striving to meet not only their own standards for themselves, but also their parents’ and society’s expectations.

Constantly trying to live up to an imagined ideal takes a mental health toll. Over time, pushing yourself to meet the demands of a job or school can lead to perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety. Ultimately, young adults can experience burnout due to overworking or academic pressure, which makes existing mental health conditions or vulnerabilities worse.

Or, young adults can go the other way when they feel intense pressure to succeed. They may fail to launch—withdrawing from the challenges and responsibilities of “real life” because they don’t feel they have the tools or skills to succeed.

The Controversy Over Mental Health Leave of Absences from College

Recent news stories have shed light on the need for mental health breaks from college and the university policies that can prevent students from taking a leave of absence. A Washington Post article in late 2022 detailed the experience of a student who was pressured to take a medical leave from her Ivy League university due to mental illness. Subsequently, she was required to go through a lengthy process to request reinstatement, further denigrating her mental health.

The article cited research done by the Ruderman Foundation, which advocates for the disabled, on the mental health withdrawal policies at the eight Ivy League schools. The schools received grades ranging from D+ to F.

At the same time, staying in school isn’t necessarily a solution, particularly when students are unable to access mental health services. With 41 percent of college students struggling with depression and 34 percent experiencing anxiety, college counseling centers are overwhelmed with demand. On average, a typical full-time college counselor has an annual caseload of 120 students, according to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH). And at some centers, counselors have a caseload of more than 300 students per counselor, CCMH reports. That means that students struggling with anxiety or depression in college, or other mental illnesses, rarely receive a weekly appointment. And weekly therapy is what most experts consider the minimum level of care for a young adult experiencing mental health symptoms.

Young Adult Mental Health in the Workplace

It’s clear that college students need more support with their mental health while in school, including the ability to take a mental health leave from college without repercussions. But what about young adults who have entered the workforce? Just over half of young people ages 16–24 were employed in 2022. Do they have the resources they need to avoid burnout and practice self-care?

Growing awareness around mental health has spurred companies to boost their offerings, including mental healthcare coverage, Employee Assistance Programs, and workshops on mental health. However, 41 percent of human resources professionals in the United States still feel that their organization does not offer enough help. Meanwhile, 84 percent of employees say they have experienced at least one mental health challenge over the past year. These challenges range stress and burnout to diagnosable mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Furthermore, young adults struggle more than older employees. Globally, half of employees ages 18–34 don’t feel present or engaged in their work, according to a 2022 Cigna study. And about a third of US workers under 40 say that they feel in crisis or have concerns about their mental health condition and their ability to cope. One thing that helps: taking a mental health day. Eight in 10 Gen Z workers say that mental health days are important for them. However, a mental health break from work is only a Band-Aid for a bigger problem, experts say.

10 Signs of Young Adult Burnout in the Workplace or College

When should a young adult take a mental health leave of absence from college or a mental health break from work? Here are some of the signs that indicate stress and burnout are taking a high toll on an individual’s health and well-being.

1. Mental and physical fatigue: Do you feel drained and tired all the time, mentally, physically, and/or emotionally, and have no energy to be productive or creative?
2. Difficulty getting started in the morning: Do you have to drag yourself out of bed to start your day and feel uninspired about the tasks ahead of you?
3. Procrastination: Do you find yourself putting off tasks as long as possible, to the point that your work or academic performance is jeopardized?
4. No sense of satisfaction: When you do complete a paper or project, or do well on a test or performance review, do you still feel dissatisfied and bad about yourself?
5. Irritability: Are you more easily frustrated and more apt to snap at friends, colleagues, or classmates?
6. Feeling unmotivated: Have you lost interest not only in academic or workplace projects, but also in activities you used to enjoy outside of work or classes, like seeing friends or going to social gatherings?
7. Trouble concentrating: Do you struggle to focus on tasks and find it extremely difficult to get in the zone?  
8. Issues with physical health: Do you keep getting colds or have frequent stomachaches, headaches, digestive issues, or rashes?
9. Increased substance use: Do you find yourself turning to alcohol or substances in order to relax or get your mind off what’s troubling you?
10. Symptoms of anxiety or depression: Do you experience feelings of intense sadness or worry, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, or constant stress?

If you answered yes to some or all of these questions, consider making changes to support your mental health. Later on, we’ll look more closely at how young adults can move toward greater mental well-being in the workplace or at college.

When to Take a Mental Health Leave of Absence from College

Mental Health America lists five reasons college students should consider taking a mental health break from school:

• Your mental health is disrupting your ability to participate in academic and campus life, even with supports and accommodations.
• You feel you are in crisis or that your level of distress is becoming intolerable.
• You believe the stress and pressure of college is seriously disrupting your ability to focus on recovery.
• You feel you need an increased level of care.
• You are not able to access the services you need at your college or university.
• You feel that time away from classes would be beneficial for your long-term well-being.

If these are true for you or a loved one, it may be time to consider a mental health leave of absence from college.

What to Do If You’re Struggling at Work or in School

Here are a few steps to take when your mental health is suffering in the workplace or on campus.

Consider whether a change is necessary.

Evaluate your options.

Plan a short mental health break.

Seek mental health support. 

Plan a mental health leave of absence.

Treatment for Burnout and Mental Health Issues at Newport Institute

At Newport Institute, we support young adults ages 18–35 to address the underlying issues causing anxiety and depression at college or in the workplace. Young people in our residential and outpatient programs heal past trauma, build relationship skills, and learn healthy coping strategies for dealing with the inevitable stressors of life.

To find out more about how we empower young adults with the tools to navigate today’s uncertain world, schedule a conversation or mental health assessment with our experts today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taking a Mental Health Leave of Absence

What is a mental health leave of absence?
A leave of absence from college is a period of time when a student is not enrolled in classes but intends to return at some point. The same is true of mental health breaks from work: Employees take time off (often unpaid), with the intention of returning to their job. Individuals typically take a mental health leave of absence when their depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, or other disorder is interfering with their daily life to the point that they are unable to function and complete required tasks. You can also take a leave of absence for medical reasons, such as a serious medical condition or to care for a family member with a health condition.

Is anxiety a reason for leave of absence?
An anxiety disorder is one reason that a student or employee may take a leave of absence. Generalized anxiety disorder sometimes includes paralyzing anxiety, panic attacks, and physical health conditions. This can make it extremely difficult to complete school or work assignments.

How do I ask for a leave of absence for mental health?
If you are a college student, contact school officials to find out about the leave of absence policy at your school and the requirements for reenrolling. If you are an employee, speak to your supervisor, who may have you contact your Human Resources Department. You will need to find out about your options for a mental health break from work under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Can you take a leave of absence for mental health if you’re depressed?
Depression is another common reason that students and employees take time away from college or the workplace. Statistics show that 40 percent of college students are struggling with depression, and about one-third of young adult employees have mental health concerns and find it difficult to cope at work.