The Straight Scoop: Academy Medical Leaves

Personal medical information is confidential, which is one reason why a bit of mystery surrounds medical leaves at Exeter. Without disclosing any student’s specifics, we thought it would be helpful to shed light on the process of medical leaves. The facts are: medical leaves are extremely rare; decisions about medical leaves are made slowly and thoughtfully; and we can help most students overcome their distress while they continue their classes right here on campus.Occasionally, there are some unusually difficult times when a student’s physical or mental health is so compromised that their needs exceed what we can provide here on campus. In those cases, the healthiest plan for the student is to arrange time away from the Academy. The request to take a medical leave is sometimes voiced first by parents—and other times, by the students themselves—or occasionally by advisors or a health care provider. While on leave and in the care of his or her family, the student can receive more intensive and specialized services.Even if we could offer more intensive and specialized services here on campus, there are cases where it would be unreasonable to ask a student to carry a five-course load, play a sport, stay involved in extracurriculars and participate in some treatment plan. (Depending on the injury, illness or issue, these treatment plans may include surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, new medications, appointments with off-campus specialist and counseling.) There are other cases where an acute safety concern exists. In such cases, being at home with parents allows a student to experience relief from the pressures of Exeter while enjoying support from friends and family.While at the Academy, students sometimes have thoughts of self-harm, engage in self-injurious behavior, abuse alcohol or other drugs, develop symptoms of an eating disorder or report strong feelings of depression or anxiety. None of these thoughts, behaviors or feelings automatically generates a medical leave. Indeed, most symptoms are brief—albeit intense—and most students can be treated on campus without pausing their academic plan. We always try treating students here first. It’s what most students want. That said, when a student or parent asks for a medical leave, the deans typically grant one.Phillips Exeter Academy has a flexible and customizable medical leave policy that allows students to take up to three terms away from the school and still maintain their student status. All students on medical leave remain students during their time away and, as such, do not need to re-apply. Despite this accommodating policy, medical leaves are still extraordinarily rare. Here are some statistics to help put medical leaves in context:Over the past 15 years, annual Academy enrollment has hovered around 1050 students.Nearly all students visit the Lamont Health and Wellness Center for one reason or another during their tenure here. Illness, injury, fatigue, stress…you name it.Each year, between 240 and 290 students visit with a mental health professional in Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Additional students seek services in town.In a typical year, there are between 7-10 medical leaves, which represent less than 1 percent of the student body.More than 90 percent of all students who take a medical leave of absence return to school, complete their diploma requirements and graduate.Although many of the students who meet with a medical or mental health professional are in considerable distress, the vast majority of those students stay enrolled and cope effectively by combining treatment with their school obligations.Academy students are a resilient bunch who benefit from the support of friends, faculty, student listeners, staff, proctors and family. For these reasons, distressing periods in most students’ lives are overcome rather quickly.Decisions about medical leaves are made collaboratively, in conversations involving the student, his or her primary caregiver(s), his or her advisor, the medical team, the counseling team and the team of deans. Only after careful consideration of the pros and cons, and listening attentively to all parties, does the team of deans decide for or against a medical leave. Ultimately, all leaves of absence are granted by the deans, as per Academy policy.When students, their parents and their health care providers feel they are ready to return to PEA, they contact the deans’ office. (Students may have taken one, two or up to three terms of time away from school.) The deans make the final decision about a student’s return from medical leave, after a similarly deliberate and thoughtful multidisciplinary team meeting.Only a tiny number of students are not well enough to return after a maximum amount of medical leave. Other students choose not to return to Exeter. Sometimes, families decide that they would prefer their son or daughter to keep living at home and going to school locally. But most students who spend time away from Exeter do return, in markedly better health than when they left. Most complete their diploma requirements and graduate. Medical leaves work well. Students are generally able to ease back into life at the Academy with renewed energy and restored happiness.Medical leaves are one of many valuable resources that help students maximize their potential and help them navigate an uncomfortable or unexpectedly rocky period. Leaves can provide the time necessary to address key health or safety issues that are interfering with optimal functioning.No one plans to take a medical leave when they matriculate at Exeter, just as no one plans to become ill or sustain an injury. But because nothing is more important than a student’s health and safety, the Academy takes treatment for illness and injury very seriously.Above all, students should feel welcome seeking medical and psychological care at the Lamont Health and Wellness Center, either for themselves or for a friend. Asking for help—no matter how big or small the concern—is a sign of strength. And in almost all cases, that help can be administered right here on campus, in the context of a familiar routine and a supportive group of adults and peers. 