UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS WITH PSYCHIATRIC-ILLNESS - FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM THEIR STUDIES

Due to the unpredictability of various mental illness, some postsecond ary students with psychiatric disorders may have to withdraw from thei r university courses, albeit temporarily. This study begins to look at the process involved in the decision to withdraw. Eight students at a n urban Canadian university were interviewed to ascertain their specif ic reasons for deciding to withdraw, and to determine whether the univ ersity could have intervened to prevent these withdrawals. Overwhelmin gly, the students responded that in spite of the provision of appropri ate educational accomodations, when their mental health deteriorated, their academic concerns became a secondary issue.