By Theofanie Feeling restless, despairing, tired, or stressed but still need to complete all your assignments and attend lectures? To cope with this situation faced by the majority of students, several universities including National Taiwan University have recently implemented a new policy focused on student mental health. Under this policy, students dealing with psychological distress or poor mental health can request a mental health leave without the need for prior notice or supporting documentation. Upon requesting mental health leave, the Student Counseling Center and Center for Student Well-being will promptly reach out to the student. They will arrange a consultation with an advisor to address the student’s psychological condition, aiming to provide support and enhance their mental well-being. Concerned that this mental health policy may potentially be exploited and misused by students to skip classes, National Taiwan University has set a limit of three days per semester for students to apply for mental health leave. So far this new policy has significantly contributed to fostering a more supportive environment for students. It gives them a chance to step away from their academic responsibilities momentarily, allowing them to reorganize their thoughts and find out ways to deal with their personal thoughts and emotional distress. Since its adoption, the policy has received positive feedback from students. A student from NTU College of Law and Politics was feeling down when the semester began; he applied for mental health leave and it indeed helped him to feel better and he eventually returned to his classes. Similarly, another student from National Taiwan Normal University struggled with insomnia; the leave played a significant role in his recovery, giving him a time to adjust his sleep routine and sort out his sleeping problem. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are strongly associated with the potential risk of suicidal thoughts. Therefore, taking preventive measures early on, such as mental health leave when experiencing even mild depression, stress, or anxiety can prevent individuals from reaching a point where suicidal thoughts become overwhelming. According to the statistics provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the suicide rate among young people aged 15 to 24 surged from 5.1 per 100,000 people in 2014 to 10.7 last year. These statistics highlight that the primary reasons for suicides in this demographic are strongly linked to mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety. Digging into these tragic accidents, a concerning pattern of college student suicides incidents can be traced, especially during the midterm or final exam season.
In a span of four days in November 2020, a series of tragic incidents occurred at National Taiwan University. A female student passed away after falling from a campus building, followed by a male student’s suicide by hanging himself in his dormitory with a detailed note. Soon after, another male student fell from a building but was rescued and regained consciousness after landing in a nearby pond. The sound of ambulance sirens has become a frequent occurrence, particularly in the middle of the night and during exam periods. The true effects of the new policy have yet to be investigated. However, soon after its initial implementation a total of 29,582 students took mental health leave, as stated by the MOE Department of Student Affairs and Special Education Director. The policy marks an initial step in addressing students’ mental health issues, contributing to an increased awareness of mental well-being. However, beyond the implementation of this mental health leave policy, there is also a need to explore additional strategies to enhance students’ welfare, such as organizing information sessions focused on mental health or providing regular mental health check programs enabling students to discuss their daily concerns with mental health professionals or community organizations. Such efforts aim to prevent suicidal thoughts by fostering a supportive environment and providing necessary resources for mental health. a
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May 2024
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