Body
Unit Policy
Title
Adams School of Dentistry: Policy on Psychological Withdrawal Support
Introduction
Purpose
This policy outlines the process for students in the Adams School of Dentistry to request a withdrawal for mental health reasons, including support from embedded CAPS counselors, coordination of care during leave, and the steps required for returning to the program.
Scope
This Policy applies to all Adams School of Dentistry (ASOD) DDS and DH students (referred to collectively as "students" for purposes of this Policy).
Policy
Request for Withdrawal
When considering a request for any type of leave of absence or withdrawal, students may meet with a CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) embedded counselor before the leave for crisis intervention or for support in identifying appropriate resources (e.g., finding a mental health provider in the community that meets the student’s mental health and financial needs). Embedded counselors may provide bridging appointments to ensure continuity of care for students in distress while they are working to get connected with an off-campus provider. Ongoing therapy services will not be available at CAPS for students who take leave, given that circumstances resulting in the need for a leave of absence will likely require open-ended or specialized treatment, and the student will not be enrolled at the university. If the student is already on leave, they may email the CAPS embedded counselors or the CAPS referral coordination team for a list of resources and guidance on referrals.
When a student determines that they wish to withdraw for mental health reasons, they should first notify the Assistant Dean for Student Life. At this point, they will be advised to make an appointment with the embedded CAPS counselor.
Working with Embedded Counselor
The embedded counselor then meets with the student to discuss the circumstances surrounding leave, the student’s plans for treatment during leave, and the process for return. The counselor is not determining the validity of the student’s request; rather, they are noting the student’s symptoms and functioning prior to going on leave, discussing what student would need to work on in order to return, and informing the student about the return process. At this point the student will sign the psychological/medical withdrawal form, which will be attached to their confidential health record, and they will be provided with a copy.
After this meeting, the counselor will email the Adams School of Dentistry registrar as well as the Assistant Dean of Student Life and the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to let them know that the student has been seen prior to withdrawal and can be withdrawn.
Returning to the Program
To be cleared to return, the student must have the clinician who has been treating them during their leave submit a UNC-Chapel Hill Medical or Psychological Clearance Form. The form must be emailed to the embedded counselor a minimum of eight (8) weeks before the student hopes to return. The student must also complete the Survey for Readmission.
If there are no questions or concerns regarding the student’s clearance form, the embedded counselor will inform the Assistant Dean of Student Life, the Senior Associate Dean for Student Life, and the registrar that the student has been cleared to return. If the embedded counselor needs more information or has concerns, they can meet with the student to discuss the situation.